1987 Woman of the Year, Wava Kaiser, 38 year member of

Phillipsburg BPW chapter, was chosen to receive the honor.

Kaiser was honored at a special  gathering of BPW members

and their guests on Thursday night, October 22. A buffet

 meal was hosted at the home of Irene Holliday, beginning at

7 p.m. Following the dinner and conversation, the Woman of

the Year program began shortly after 8 p.m. Marie Mitchell read

an account of Kaiser's accomplishments during her career

preceding the announcement that she had been selected among

the members. This was followed by a musical salute performed

 by Sheryl K. Gaines, with certain phrases reworded to honor Kaiser. Those present then told highlights of their experience with the woman they honored. This was followed by a short business

meeting.

The biography read by Mitchell stated, "She deserves this honor

due to her loyalty to the club and its goals, and her kindness and

consideration of others. She is always willing and ready to assist

in any way that she can to make our club the best. She has

served on many committees throughout the years, and when taking her turn as hostess... especially enjoys making beautiful

hand-crafted items for favors and decorations."

Kaiser's Career

Wava Grigsby grew up in the Attica area and is still a member of the

Attica United Methodist Church. She was a 4-H leader in Harper

County for 15 years, from 1928 - 1943. Her education was

obtained from Kansas State University, Manhattan; Emporia

State University, Emporia; Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg;

Fort Hays State University, Hays; Wichita State University, Wichita;

and Northwestern College, Alva, Oklahoma. She worked on her

master's degree at Colorado State University in Fort Collins,

Colorado. Wava earned her Intermediate Grade Life from

ESU, and has a total of over 167 college hours.

After earning her B.S. degree in 1942, Kaiser taught junior and

senior high home economics at Bird City; she also taught

girls physical education, was the junior class sponsor, and

coached a winning basketball team while there. Following her work at Bird City, she served as the county home economist at

Hill City and Norton. She worked in the Phillips County Extension

Office for one year. Kaiser also worked at Boeing Aircraft in

Wichita, after its consolidation for a time.

Wava Grigsby married Paul Kaiser on December 14, 1952, at
Attica. The couple began their life together farming, and today 

still farm outside of Phillipsburg.

"I couldn't have done anything without him (Paul), " Wava said.

"He was the one who sometimes has to pull me out to get me to

school."

In the speech which was read prior to presenting Kaiser with the

honor, Marie Mitchell stated that Wava married "... a very special

guy'. We think he's special because he encourages her to

attend BPW".

Kaiser taught a total of 26 years, spending 22 years in the

Phillipsburg school system prior to her retirement in 1976. Her

first teaching job was at the Nine Cottonwood Schoolhouse

outside of Attica, where she taught for three years. That schoolhouse was recently moved five miles into Attica, where it,

has been restored and made into an art gallery. Kaiser was excited

when she originally heard the news about the school, but

cites a local honor as the outstanding memory of her days in the

education field.

"The highlight of my teaching career was the year I was president

of the Phillipsburg City Teachers and was elected as a delegate

to attend the teachers meeting at the Sheraton Hotel in Dallas,"

Kaiser said.

Wava Kaiser has also contributed to her community through other

organizations. She received her 50-year Order of the Eastern

Star membership pin at a special meeting in Anthony in

October of 1985. During the 1954 - 1955 year, Kaiser joined the

Omega Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, of which she is still a member.

The Phillips County Review

Thursday

October 29, 1987

Mrs. Kaiser was born Wava Grigsby on March 14, 1910, at rural Attica. She was a retired teacher and former home demonstration agent for Graham and Phillips counties.

Survivors include her husband, Paul of Phillipsburg; a brother, Myron Grigsby of Attica; and four sisters, Maureen Barber of Anthony, Wilda Graves of Danville, and Maxine Zuercher and Anna Mae Turner, both of Attica.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the United Methodist Church, Attica. Burial will be in Attica Cemetery.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Phillips County Hospital Long Term Care Facility, Phillipsburg.

Elliott Mortuary, Anthony, is handling arrangements