Many people retire long before 80, but one dedicated woman has spent nearly six decades faithfully driving a school bus and blessing generations of children along the way.
It is rare to see someone hold the same job for a lifetime, especially in a role that starts and ends each day with such responsibility. But when someone loves what they do and sees it as a calling, their work becomes part of who they are.
A Lifelong Journey Begins at 23
At just 23 years old, Cheryl Barickman became the only female bus driver in the small town of Truman. It was a time when few women held that job, but Cheryl didn’t let that stop her.
Now, at 80 years old, she still drives bus #5 every morning, greeting children with a warm smile and a cheerful “Good morning.”
“I’m the first one they see after they leave their house in the morning,” she said, “and I think they should see someone that has a positive attitude and has a smile on their face and says good morning to them.”
Cheryl’s presence isn’t just professional—it’s personal. Riding with her feels like being driven to school by a grandmother. That’s how fifth-grader Alaina Klassen describes it—though with a laugh, she adds, “My grandma’s younger.”
Through Storms, Laughter, and Prayer
Driving a bus across the prairie for 57 years means Cheryl has seen her share of tough weather. But her stories are full of heart.
“Little kindergartner was sitting in the front seat beside of me and he said, ‘I’ll roll down the window and look out the side,’ he said, ‘and if I see the edge, I’ll tell you that you’re too close to the edge,’” she recalled with a laugh.
That laugh reveals what really drives Cheryl—her joy in caring for children. Her daughter, Heidi Voyles, confirms it: “She loves kids. She was a 4-H leader, Sunday school teacher. Everything she does is for the kids.”
And Cheryl doesn’t start her day without prayer.
“I pray before I get on the bus that I have a safe journey with the bus and that in some way I bless these children’s lives,” she shared.
Her bus route has become more than a job—it’s been a source of healing. After the loss of her husband Keith on January 1, 2022, Cheryl found strength through continuing her routine and being with the children who lift her spirit each day.
Even now, she wears her wedding ring while filling the bus with diesel, her hand resting on the fuel nozzle.
Carving Out a Legacy
Cheryl’s commitment runs so deep that she’s already chosen what she wants on her tombstone.
“There’s a school bus on my tombstone,” she said. “I guess it’s always been a big part of my life.”
Her husband Keith, a farmer, picked a tractor for his gravestone. The school bus carved above Cheryl’s name is a lasting symbol of her life’s mission.
“She came with the deal,” joked Ron Lenz, who bought the Truman bus service 41 years ago. “Cheryl’s been with me the whole time. She’s loved by everybody.”
A Surprise Celebration
One day, after returning to the bus garage, Cheryl noticed something strange—too many cars and not enough buses.
Inside, Cheryl was greeted with a surprise: fellow drivers, family, and former students had gathered to honor her 57 years of service.
Cheryl stayed faithful to the place where God put her, and through that, she made a difference in many lives across generations.
Her story encourages us to be faithful where we are, no matter how simple our role may seem. We never know how God might use our quiet obedience to shape someone’s life.
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