Students raise money for beloved bus driver diagnosed with cancer

A beloved bus driver for the Iowa-Grant School District had to hang up her keys due to a diagnosis of leukemia this winter, but her students have not forgotten her.

More than 500 elementary school students came together to raise $2,000 for Kristi Loeffelholz, a 27-year veteran of the district. The students ran in a Fun Run Tuesday afternoon in her honor.

“She’s done so much for the school and the community and other places, so we’re kind of giving back to her for everything she’s done for us,” said Colin Steffl, an eighth-grader who rides on Kristi’s bus regularly.

Kristi watched and offered high-fives to students as they raced by. Along with words of thanks, she had advice to share.

“Cherish every moment, because you never know what tomorrow’s going to bring,” she said. “You have to be thankful for now. Just be thankful for today.”