Velma Frizzell - Iva Leppen Memorial Scholarship

Velma Frizzell and Iva Leppen were the best of friends.

Velma lived from November 13, 1907 to February 10, 1999. She lived most of her life in the Amherst area. She always valued education a great deal. When she graduated from 8th grade, her father, Willie Kjer, felt it unnecessary for a female to continue her education. For a whole year she pleaded with him to allow her to attend Amherst High School before being allowed to go. After graduation from Amherst High, she went on to attend Wisconsin State Normal School (now UWSP) in Stevens Point. After completing one year of required courses she traveled to Phelps, Wisconsin, where she taught school and met her husband, Bill. Soon they returned to the Amherst area where they raised their four children, all of whom graduated from Amherst High School.

Iva Olson lived from May 13, 1922 to January 30, 2007. She graduated from Amherst High School. Her primary career interest was food preparation and service. She was very pleased to be able to establish the Meadow Inn Restaurant with Estelle Damrau. Iva married Ernie Leppen later in life. So full was her desire to prepare food that upon her death she requested that a frying pan and apron be engraved on her tombstone.

Velma and Iva were both members of Nelsonville Lutheran Church. In their shared faith and friendship they often traveled together to church, Ladies Aid, the hair dresser, and to visit shut-ins. Their families feel it is extremely fitting that best friends Velma Frizzell and Iva Leppen share the name of this Tomorrow River Scholarship Foundation endowed scholarship.