A Legacy on Wheels: Celebrating 99 Years of Maybelle Mohrhardt

This spring, the Spring Lake community came together to celebrate not just a birthday, but a legacy. Maybelle Mohrhardt, who turned 99, is more than a longtime resident—she is a true Spring Lake legend. For 41 years, Maybelle served as a school bus driver for Spring Lake Public Schools, beginning in 1969 and retiring in 2010. Over those four decades, she safely transported more than 5,000 students, becoming a steady, familiar presence in the daily lives of countless families.

To honor her milestone birthday, Amy Johnsen, owner of Amy’s Hair Hydeaway, hosted a surprise party that brought together a unique group of guests: Spring Lake’s current bus drivers, many of whom once rode Maybelle’s bus as students. In the perfect tribute to Maybelle’s decades of service, the group arrived at the salon not by car—but by school bus.

The celebration was filled with warm memories and a deep sense of continuity. Drivers Kim Phillips and Kim Groover both rode Maybelle’s bus as children before later joining her as colleagues. Now, each has served the district for over 25 years, continuing the tradition of care and connection that Maybelle helped establish.

This celebration wasn’t just about one remarkable birthday. It was a reflection of the long-lasting impact one person can have on a community—and the way that legacy carries forward. Maybelle’s dedication lives on through the work of those she inspired, and her story reminds us of the everyday heroes who shape Spring Lake in quiet, meaningful ways.