1976 was the first annual Amsterdam Jubilee, this year the Amsterdam Jubilee honor one of those founding members of their 46 year strong celebration by naming her Grand Marshal.
Please, join them in congratulating Lorraine Kershner , Amsterdam Jubilee 2022 Parade Grand Marshal
Lorraine was born in Edmond Ok to Earl and Grace Carmichael. She attended Mt. Zion a “little country school” close to Edmond from the 1st to the 3rd grade. She attended Russel Daugherty Elementary in Edmond before moving with her family to Amsterdam Mo. in 1944.
Edmond’s loss was our gain. Lorraine’s history with the community is deep and we are lucky to have her.
She continued her education in Amsterdam from the 5th to the 10th grade. Going on to graduate from Miami R-1 where she achieved the title of Valedictorian of the Miami class of 1952. While at Miami Lorraine played basketball, softball and won titles in typing and shorthand.
Lorraine became a member of the Amsterdam Methodist Church in 1945; later going on to teach Sunday School, volunteer with Youth Fellowship and Vacation Bible School.
On September 25, 1952, Lorraine married, Robert “Bob” Franklin Kershner.
Together they were the owners of The B & L Café in Adrian for 4 years. She has been employed by Citizens Bank of Amsterdam from 1960 to 1964. In 1967 she became the office manager of Bass Buster Lures, on Amsterdam’s Main Street and stayed in that position until 1972 when Bass Busters became a division of Johnson Fishing Inc. She was then promoted to Sales Administrator, a position she held until her retirement in 1992.
Together Bob and Lorraine raised a family of 3 boys.
All graduates of Miami.
Rudy, Randy, and Rick. That never slowed her down. In fact, her volunteer nature just went into overdrive.
While her boys were in school, Lorraine worked to organize the first chapter of the Miami PTA and served as both President and Secretary.
She was assistant leader of Amsterdam Cub Scout Troop for 2 years.
Served as chairman for the committee that was the first to put lights on the ballfield at Miami.
Was President/Manager of the Miami Little League Association for several years and then served as secretary.
Lorraine even helped coach the first Peewee baseball team that Miami ever had.
She went on to keep score for 30 plus years and as any good baseball fan and good mom knows she tried harder not to yell at umpires!!
She was on the committee to organize the first chapter of the Miami Alumni Association.
Miami owes Lorraine Kershner a great deal of gratitude. All Eagles past and present fly higher because of people like her.
Lorraine served on the BOD for Bates County Bowling Association for several years.
She is a member of the Crescent Hill Chapter #127 Order of Eastern Star since November the 1st, 1956, where she has served as Worthy Matron 8 times, District Deputy Grand Matron of the Grand Chapter of Missouri 3 times. Grand Representative of Georgia in Missouri, and held an elected or appointed office all but one of her 66 years with the organization.
She is a 51-year member of the Adrian Rebekah Lodge #449, joining in July of 1971. She has served as Noble Grand 5 times and has been Secretary the last 3 years. She has held the offices of District Deputy President, 7 years, District President 3 times and President of the Rebekah Assembly of Missouri.
In 1976 Lorraine was part of a group of local people that decided to organize the first Amsterdam Jubilee! With zero funds for trophies, the committee set their children loose to gather railroad spikes, which were painted and tied with ribbons and distributed as souvenirs. Businesses were decorated, window displays, a parade and a time capsule was buried.
Lorraine lost Bob but together their family is mass. They have all been an asset to the town and the county as a whole.
I am going to copy Lorraine’s’ own words, word for word when describing her family, because it is too special not too.
3 terrific sons – Rudy, Randy & Rick 2 fantastic daughters-in-law – Lee Ann and Anita 5 adorable Grandchildren – Nicole Kershner Travis Kershner & Jessica Amber (Hale) Eidson & Jeremy, Daryl Hale Melissa (Hale) Coil & Myrick 13 loving Great-Grandchildren – Cody & Layton Garbiel, Aralyn Kershner, Kylee, Jacob & Aspyn Eidson Aeris, Isiah & Kirek Hale Preston, Kennadie, Jaxon & Camden Coil 3 very special friends – Gary, Josie & Delsa
Lorraine passes along her motto “If I can’t have fun I don’t want to go”
She offers a slogan for us all “We may not have it all together but together we have it all”
Both the motto and the slogan sum up what the entire history of Lorraine is to the community and why we have chosen her to be the 2022 Amsterdam Jubilee Grand Marshal.
