Lois Verboort

Freshly peeled apples, the wonderful smell of baked bread with butter, and the banter of older relatives speaking Dutch are childhood memories that Lois Verboort recalls about visits to her grandmother’s house. She recalls that her grandmother, Nellie Verboort, always wore a black dress with her hair pulled up into a bun. These memories put a smile on her face.

Born in Verboort in 1938, Lois calls Verboort and Visitation, “A way of life.” Lois attended Visitation Catholic School and later Verboort High School. Daily activity at school was quite different back then. Lois recalls that girls and boys rarely socialized. In fact, the girls and boys had separate areas during recess. Today, Lois is pleasantly surprised to see how students interact. When asked what her most embarrassing moment was at school, Lois tells of the time when her mother, Janet, was serving hot lunch. “I was in the 7th grade and I was serving food to teachers. I spilled scalding coffee on my foot.” Lois added that her mom waited until serving hot lunch before she took her to the hospital. The real embarrassing part to this story came when Lois returned to school. Lois explains, “A senior came and carried me up the stairs to the school building in front of everyone.” Memorable educators like Jim Robinson made a positive impact on Lois’s life. Lois states, “Mr. Robinson was the principal of Verboort High School, but everyone just called him ‘Coach’. He was the coach of Verboort’s football and baseball team, called the ‘Flying Dutchmen’. Lois recalls, “We had a very strong sports program. Coach was special because of his genuine love and care for all of his students. ” Lois adds, “Teachers knew students and cared for them—everyone took care of each other.” Lois is grateful to Coach, as he was the one responsible for her receiving her first job after high school at Title Trust in Hillsboro as an escrow writer.

Lois recalls, “Midwest farmers are very Verboort—or very relaxed.” For 49 years, Lois flew the friendly skies as a stewardess for Western Airlines traveling the globe and meeting interesting people. Shortly after high school, Lois left Verboort and moved south to Los Angeles to attend flight attendant school. In Los Angeles, Lois learned to wear make-up and developed a warm, outgoing personality. Lois states, “I was never a talker growing up. I was more reclusive. The airlines made me an extravert.” After graduating fight attendant school in Great Falls, Montana, Lois flew flights to Alaska, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Seattle, and Hong Kong (to name a few). It was during her flights from Los Angeles where she met Hollywood celebrities that included: Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Randolph Scott, Clint Eastwood, Paul Mitchell, John Wayne, Cary Grant, Tom Selleck, Lawrence Welk, and Gerald McRaney. Lois remembers her famous air passengers as down to earth people who were great to chat with. While flying with Western Airlines, Lois met her husband, ‘Slim’. In 1970, Slim and Lois were married. Their daughter, Katie, was born in 1976. Lois retired in 2002 with fond memories.

Lois returned back to the Verboort community after retiring from what is now Delta Airlines. She is an active parishioner at Visitation Catholic Church. Lois states, “I love living in Verboort. It’s the people of Verboort that make the difference.” Indeed.

Lyle Spiesschaert

Leaders of conscience are found at Visitation Catholic School. One such leader was recently honored by the Forest Grove Rotary Club. His name is Lyle Spiesschaert. This 1961 Visitation graduate, is the 2008 Mike Ward Community Service Award recipient. This prestigious award is given to a community member who consistently goes beyond their own needs to help others.

Born and raised in the fertile farming community of Verboort, Oregon, Lyle credits many people in his life who have influenced him to give back to those in need. At a young age, Lyle made an observation and commented to his father, George, “Life isn’t fair. Some people cheat there way through life to get ahead. And others, they have their lives paid for by wealthy relatives.” His father responded, “Lyle, where did you get the idea that life was fair?” Indeed, this comment by George Spiesschaert would prove to be a springboard of self examination and inspiration to his son.

Lyle praises Visitation Catholic School for preparing him for his life of service. He recalls with great enthusiasm his participation as a 7th and 8th grader on the student written Visitation newspaper, The Dutchman. He said, “I truly didn’t realize how well Visitation School had prepared me academically until I attended my local public high school after graduation.” Lyle attended Oregon Technological Institute and later Oregon State University where he received a Bachelor in Pre-Veterinarian Medicine. He was hired while a student at Oregon State to join the faculty and teach Extension related courses. His academics continued in graduate school, as Lyle received a Masters in Educational Psychology from the University of Arizona in 1981. When asked why he changed from veterinarian medicine to educational psychology, Lyle commented, “It isn’t the subject matter we need to learn…it’s learning the process of how people learn that intrigues me.” Today, he holds true to his belief of life-long learning. “To be a life-long learner means to remain healthy mentally. It is crucial to stay up on current events”, Lyle says.

In 1984, Lyle’s father, George, passed away. He returned back to Verboort, where today, he manages his family farm. Over the years, in addition to farming, Lyle has also found time to become an active member in the Chamber Agriculture Forestry Committee and Holiday Display Team, served as the Director on the Rural Fire District Board, and served on the Washington County Fair Board. This January, Lyle was elected President of the Washington County Fair Complex Boosters.

Throughout the years, Lyle has been an active member at Visitation Catholic Church. He is chairman of the same committee that his father once belonged to, the Cemetery Committee. Lyle was instrumental with the implementation and installation of post lanterns that line Visitation Road from the convent to the parish center. He was also one of the visionaries who worked to create the oval granite mural outside of church. Also, through the church, Lyle has become active in sponsoring two boys in Nicaragua. Through his generous sponsorship, these two boys receive financial support for food, medicine, and uniforms for school.

Lyle wants Visitation School to be successful. He believes the school still plays a key role in our growing community. Lyle admits a sense of responsibility to give back to Visitation and lends his talents and expertise whenever he can. He feels we all need a sense of community. Lyle reflects for a minute and states, “People need to feel ownership. Visitation is not my school...it is not yours…it is all of ours.” top