MUSCATINE COUNTY, IOWA SCHOOL NEWS

Transcribed, by Beverly Gerdts on July 17, 2019

Page 45

     CHARLENE STRAUSE THOMPSON. My school years started at Franklin where I attended Kindergarten. Then I spent my remaining elementary days at good Old Garfield where I had Ms Othmer as principal. I attended what was the old High school on Iowa Ave. This building has since been replaced by the Towers. My High School years were spent at the building on Cedar Street which is now Central Middle School. I graduated from High School in 1956.

     During my High School years I worked at Patez Grocery and played softball with a team in West Liberty, Iowa. After graduation, I worked at GPC and then went to school at Iowa Wesleyan for 1 year. After attending 1 semester at Belmont College in Nashville Tennessee. Then I played 1 season with the All-American Girls Baseball Team.

     In 1962 I married Jasper Thompson, graduated from Muscatine Community College and had my first daughter Kim. We had our 2nd daughter in 1965 and built a new home in 1964. During the years of my children growing up, I helped coach Little League, helped with 4-H, became a girl Scout leader (still involved), learned to Trout fish (which I still enjoy), and drove school bus for 17 years. During this time served as Fruitland Township Trustee, was on the Fruitland City Council and served on Fruitland Park Board for many years.

     I retired in 1994 and now run a card business from my home.