ATHOL - Louise Voves has done everything from rubbing elbows with famous folk to serving some of the most vulnerable people in her community.

The 90-year-old Spirit Lake woman will be honored this month as the Grandmother of the Year for the Spirit Lake Grandmothers Club, which holds fundraisers to support the food bank, schools and low-income families.

Voves is the club's only two-time recipient of the award as she was also honored in 2001.

"I'm very proud of it," Voves said of the honor from the club that she's been a member of since 1996.

Voves has volunteered at the Spirit Lake Food Bank since 2001 and serves as the vice president of the nonprofit.

She owned and operated Knead 'n Dough Bakery in Athol with her daughter Gwen Bakie from 2011 to 2014, when Voves was diagnosed with cancer. Voves was known for her homemade cinnamon rolls and huckleberry and coconut cream pie made with huckleberries she picked herself.

In addition to being a gathering place where local patrons could visit over a cup of coffee and fresh pastry, the bakery served as a shelter for local school children from rain and snow while they waited for the bus.

Voves' generosity has been felt in the community. She recently donated new carpet, tables and chairs to the Athol Community Center that is used by local groups and for meetings. She picked out the fabric and donated the colorful "Cups of Kindness" vests that are worn by Grandmothers Club members to meetings.

Voves also formerly organized a mining exhibit for fourth-graders at Garwood Elementary.

While working as a waitress at the officer's club at the Farragut Naval Training Station near Athol, Voves met and served President Franklin D. Roosevelt. She was also a waitress at the Davenport Hotel in Spokane, where she waited on President John F. Kennedy.

Voves and her late husband Harry became friends with singer and actor Bing Crosby at McCall.

What was your experience of knowing Bing Crosby?

While traveling with my husband, who worked in mining and construction, we met him at a Christmas party. I had to bail him and my husband out of jail once. Bing had gotten into a bar fight and swung at a guy. My husband hit the guy.

What do you remember about serving FDR at Farragut?

He made a big speech about shipping the boys out, but all of us had to keep our mouths shut about the date and time. We served him and none of us said boo. His wife called him while he was there and she asked him if he made it there on time and I remember him telling her, "Where the hell do you think I'm at?"

What was your experience like serving Kennedy at the Davenport Hotel?

None of us spoke to the president. That was all hush hush.

But they did put a hat in the middle of the table and the money went to the waitresses for a tip. I made more than $300. But they held out taxes on that - don't forget that.

What was life like when you were raised?

I was raised on a farm in Blanchard at the end of Stone Road. The road is named after my stepfather, Ole Stone. I attended a one-bedroom school house in Blanchard. We raised ducks, geese and chickens and logged. My brother and I would take milk and eggs on horse and buggy to Newport every Saturday. Our treat was an ice cream cone. On the way home we'd take a nap because the horses knew how to get home.

Why have you volunteered at the Spirit Lake Food Bank for 14 years?

They needed people (to help) and this is a way to give back to the community. They wanted me to join so I joined. If you can give, give. Even a can of tomatoes can help someone.

Why did you decide to donate the carpet, tables and chairs to the Athol Community Center?

It's a good cause and groups will be able to enjoy it. Besides, what else am I going to do with the money? Put it in a coffee can and bury it? The grandmothers also meet there, so I wanted to make it more aesthetically pleasing.

Why is being a member of the Grandmothers Club so enjoyable?

Me, my daughter Gwen Bakie and granddaughter Tracy Fus are all involved so we represent three generations.