Professional Bowler. Nicknamed the "Queen of Bowling," she was considered the sport's top female professional athlete for nearly two decades. She was named "Bowler of the Year" nine times between 1950 and 1963 by the Bowling Writers Association of America, and was voted as the greatest female bowler in the history of the sport in 1973. She captured eight U.S. Women's Opens Championships between 1949 and 1960, including five consecutive titles from 1949 to 1953. She was the first woman to win the inaugural Professional Women's Bowling Association Championship in 1960. Regarded as Michigan's top female athlete of all time, she was an inductee into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1959, the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame in 1972, the Women's Sports Hall of Fame in 1984, and the National Bowling Hall of Fame in 1995. Following her retirement from competitive bowling in the mid 1960s, she became the co-owner and manager of Northfield Lanes in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She died in her hometown from heart failure at the age of 95.
Professional Bowler. Nicknamed the "Queen of Bowling," she was considered the sport's top female professional athlete for nearly two decades. She was named "Bowler of the Year" nine times between 1950 and 1963 by the Bowling Writers Association of America, and was voted as the greatest female bowler in the history of the sport in 1973. She captured eight U.S. Women's Opens Championships between 1949 and 1960, including five consecutive titles from 1949 to 1953. She was the first woman to win the inaugural Professional Women's Bowling Association Championship in 1960. Regarded as Michigan's top female athlete of all time, she was an inductee into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1959, the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame in 1972, the Women's Sports Hall of Fame in 1984, and the National Bowling Hall of Fame in 1995. Following her retirement from competitive bowling in the mid 1960s, she became the co-owner and manager of Northfield Lanes in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She died in her hometown from heart failure at the age of 95.
Bio by: Nils M. Solsvik Jr.
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See more Ladewig or Van Oosten memorials in:
- Rosedale Memorial Park Ladewig or Van Oosten
- Tallmadge Township Ladewig or Van Oosten
- Ottawa County Ladewig or Van Oosten
- Michigan Ladewig or Van Oosten
- USA Ladewig or Van Oosten
- Find a Grave Ladewig or Van Oosten
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