Some give it up in their fifties, some in their sixties. Others wait till their sixties to even start.

We're talking about bowling teammates Doris Foster, age 76, (left in picture) and her mother, Marie Hoeksema, age 95, (right) bowling together in Pella this year on Geetings team, which, by the way, is in first place.

A tiny woman, Marie uses a 10-pound bowling ball and averages 126. She's been bowling most of her life.

Doris averages 121. She started bowling in her mid-sixties. "I'm just a late starter," she said. "I love it, though, just like my mom."

Sylvia Nieuwsma and Lana Pol are the other two members of their team. "They're fun," Doris and Marie agree. "They keep us going."

It might be the other way around. Lana says of the mother/daughter pair, "They are both a blast! What an inspiration to be able to bowl at that age! They certainly live life to the fullest."

Mother and daughter also bowl as substitutes with seniors in Oskaloosa, and in October had the high women's game. Marie bowled 172; Doris 170. With scores like that, you'd want them to sub a lot.

Born in Minnesota, Marie's Belgian father was a farmer and coal miner. She went to country school and finished her education in the tenth grade in Albia, Iowa. She has worked at Ben Franklin, various restaurants, and at Pella Rolscreen, where she met her third husband, Ben Hoeksema. He died twenty years ago at age 88 and Marie figured she was too old to try a fourth. Dancing and fishing were also much-loved pasttimes.

Marie still fishes. Her neighbor in Knoxville loved to fish but had no one to go with. When Marie moved there, the neighbor invited her to go fishing with her, and Marie says "I just went right along!" The two would go out from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. "We'd catch a lot, and throw 'em back. My husband used to dress 'em, and I loved to fry a big platter for other people, but I don't like to eat 'em myself."

Though a long time resident and bowler in Knoxville, Marie moved to Pella to be closer to her family, but lives independently at Pella Manor and drives her own car. "I got acquainted at the Manor like right now," she said. "We enjoy ourselves. We play cards and shuffleboard, go out to eat, there're plenty of activites and we get together a lot."

Doris was born in Albia. When her parents started working at Rolscreen, the family moved to Oskaloosa, where she graduated from high school. After raising her children, she worked at Central Park Cafe, Pella Hospital, Christian Opportunity Center (where bowling was first introduced to her by a co-worker), and nursing homes in New Sharon and Oskaloosa. She also enjoys crocheting, working in the yard, and reading.

Far from retired, Doris works for Home Instead Senior Care, helping two or three elderly clients stay in their homes by helping them with housecleaning, bathing, cooking, and providing companionship. "I do whatever they need me to do," she said, "spending maybe an hour a week with one and a couple hours a day with another."

Asked what one person each admired most, Marie said "There's a young gal in Knoxville, who, when I lived there, picked me up every time for three years to go bowling. She still comes to visit here in Pella, too. We sure were close." This is Nancy Huelse, wife of Ron, the wildlife photographer. Doris named Marilyn Taylor. "She's been the best friend you could ever have. She' s always been there for me and my husband."

Asked what one thing they would change, Doris said, "Well, we need better leaders." Marie said "I don't know. I've had a very good life and three good husbands."

Teasing is a way of life for the entire Geetings bowling team. Doris threw the ball backwards once and never heard the end of it. Fortunately it didn't hit anyone.

All the bowlers are always encouraging either Doris or Marie to beat the other one. Lana Pol tells this story:

"Once, Marie offered Doris a hint on how to bowl better, telling her to stand a little differently. Doris politely replied, 'I bowl differently than you do, Mom.' And that's true. Marie is left-handed; Doris is right-handed, and they each have a terrific hook. But a little while later Doris bowled a strike. Marie stated 'You stood where I told you to, didn't you.' Doris hung her head and replied 'Yes, Mom.' "

Marie very likely then gave her a high five.

It was obvious visiting with these two that they truly enjoy each other's company, and, no doubt about it, they'll both be bowlling as long as they're able.

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