By Whitney Barnes
Staff Writer

After 60 years of perfecting her craft, a local bowler has been on a mission to spark that same passion in the youth, guiding them to knock down pins and build lifelong skills, one frame at a time.

Seventy-nine-year-old Kat Van Buren has lived in Marshall her whole life. Her journey into bowling began in 1965 when she was just 20 years old. Inspired by her husband, who discovered the sport while serving in the military, Van Buren embraced bowling as a pastime and a way to engage in community activity.

“When we started dating, he taught me how to bowl,” she said. “I love bowling. I guess (my favorite part) would be leagues. I’m in two leagues, one on Monday, (it’s a) mixed (league) with my husband, and I bowl triangle league; it’s an all-women’s league.”

Van Buren also serves as the Association Manager for the Marshall Bowling Association.

“I used to be league secretary, and then we had to merge with the men, so we didn’t need two secretaries,” she said. “I was voted the association manager. I am over all the bowlers in Marshall. I order all the cards, turn in all the averages to the USBC, and if we’re going somewhere, like a tournament, then I sign all the entries and put in the averages and whatever it takes to get us where we’re going.”

Van Buren is much more than just a participant in the sport; she has devoted herself to mentoring and teaching young bowlers since the 1980s. Having taught a few hundred children the sport of bowling, her commitment has impacted the youth, shaping their skills and fostering their love for the sport.

“Linda and John Simmons started the bowling program, and I signed on as a coach,” she said. “On my vacation one year, Linda, John and I went to Eldon, Missouri, and I went through the classes to be a certified Missouri coach. They give you lessons on how to coach and what to do.”

Van Buren shared that her path into coaching started with a genuine wish to help others. However, as she delved deeper into it, she found that she genuinely enjoyed it. This newfound passion fueled her commitment to coaching, which she continues to pursue to this day.

“I’m the only one left out of everybody that has done it,” she said. “Everybody else is deceased.”

When asked about what she has gained from her coaching experience, Van Buren chuckled, saying, “Well, it certainly ain’t fame or fortune.” She continued, “I think it’s more about a sense of pride. To give to someone things that you know how to do.”

If you’re interested in learning how to bowl, Van Buren suggests stopping by Holiday Lanes Bowling Alley at 1155 Santa Fe Trail to get the ball rolling.

“Tell Freddy that you want to learn, and the next person you’ll see will be me,” she said. “Join a league; we need all the people we can get.”