Former teacher still making impact
<p><strong>Elsie Dondanville, who celebrated her 101st birthday in Hot Springs on Friday, signs copies of the new children’s book “Moose Country School,” which is based on her life as a teacher. Dondaville began teaching 83 years ago.</strong></p> <div><strong><br /></strong></div>
HOT SPRINGS - Cake, good friends and a book signing is all a 101 year-old needs to be happy while celebrating her birthday. Beloved teacher and active member of the community, Elsie Dondanville celebrated her 101st birthday in Hot Springs last Friday.
Cheri Lawson, author of “Moose Country School,” a book illustrating Dondanville’s life as a teacher, held a book signing at the local library where people who have been touched by Dondanville’s life and legacy came together in celebration.
Lawson found the inspiration for her second book while helping Dondanville pack up her belongings to move into St. Joseph’s Assisted Living Center.
“She kept all of her stuff and that’s what inspired me to write this book,” said Lawson, describing the work Dondanville had kept from her time as a teacher.
Dondanville started teaching 83 years ago in 1929, with a classroom of five students. She went through many trials and tribulations to get to where she is today, fighting off the cold during the winter months sledding to school in horse drawn carriages and making a life for herself.
Gail Patton, a fifth and sixth grade student of Mrs. Dondanville, formerly known as Miss Mero, said that she kept good control of the classes and kept them organized while being highly involved within the school and community.
“There were three classrooms in the room and she straightened out all three in about three minutes,” said Patton.
Back in the day, Patton described that with three different grades in one classroom, students would learn many of the same topics three times, hopefully becoming masters of the topic by their third year.
When Dondanville was asked how many years she had been teaching, her answer was “quite a few.” But a few is to say the least.
Along with her teaching, Dondanville was an active member in the community participating in many projects.
Betty Boehler who knows Dondanville through Grange, which she described as a farmer’s organization whose main goal is the health and welfare of rural populations, explained Dondanville as a light that refuses to be put out.
“She has a very bright mind and is very friendly,” Boehler said. “She’s blessed with a good mind even in old age.”
Jennie Jorgenson, administrative assistant at St. Joseph’s Assisted Living in Polson, where Dondanville resides said that even to this day, Dondanville is very active within the home.
“She’s determined to not grow old and she’s determined to do it right,” said Jorgenson.
Rita Senkler, a resident of St. Joseph’s said that there is no stopping Mrs. Dondanville.
“She doesn’t sit around like a 100-year-old,” Senkler said, explaining that Dondanville is active in the assisted living programs and is a good speaker and actress. Dondanville also keeps busy when kids come in to visit.
Along with this, Dondanville spends her time playing Wii bowling, mastering the art and scoring up to 200 points in a game.
The life of Elsie Dondanville has no doubt been a good one so far, contributing in many ways to help the surrounding community around her. And there seems to be no stopping that.