Ollie Louise Buckmaster Briggs
We sadly report the passing of the last member of the Seward High Class of 1925 and oldest member of the SHS Alumni Association, Ollie Louise (Buckmaster) Briggs one week shy of her 102nd birthday. She was born February 13, 1907 in Seward, Nebraska to Ross and Nellie (Anderson SHS 1899) Buckmaster and passed away in Seward, Nebraska on February 6, 2009, at the age of 101 years, 11 months, 21 days.
After graduating from Seward High School in 1925, she enrolled in a 5 month training course at Mohler Beauty School in Omaha. Her career took her to Lincoln and Sioux City and back to Lincoln as manager.
From the 1925 Annual we learn that Ollie was in the Commercial Course: She was in Y.M.C.A. 2-3-4; and a reporter for "The 1925 Broadcaster".
In the Last Will and TEstament, Ollie left her sixteen pair of dilapidated dancing shoes to Alice Linn.
The Class Prophecy predicted they would find Miss Ollie Buckmaster and Miss Rose Winters in the St. Louis where they have given m anking a kiss-proff lipstick.
Ollie married Rex Briggs SHS '22 in 1932 and celebrated their 58th anniversary before his death April 30,1990. She became a busy farm wife in Seward County, active in the United Methodist Church, its Women’s Society, and was chairman of the Music Committee. She also served on many committees associated with high school activities of her children. During the 60’s and & 70’s Ollie traveled with Rex and enjoyed the friends and acquaintances they made at the cattle auctions. Over the years Ollie enjoyed her friends associated with Country Women’s Club, United Methodist Women and the Coffee Club.
Ollie was the mother of Beth Briggs Griffin, Bob and Bill Briggs all SHS Grads and also the Grandmother and Great-Grandmother of several Seward Alums. Currently her great-grandsons Jackson Briggs and Jake Dexter are attending Seward Schools.