"Kansan Saves Passengers in Her Moment of Glory"

A Moment in Time

Kansas Historical Society

A monthly series from the Kansas Historical Society

Lucille Widsteen was the last person to board a south-bound Continental Trailways bus out of Topeka one afternoon in February 1972. Little did she know that the seat she chose would lead her to an act of heroism.

Widsteen was on her way to visit a brother in Dallas. The last of sixteen passengers to board the bus, she selected the seat immediately behind the driver. Just a few miles outside Topeka on the Kansas Turnpike the driver suffered a heart attack and slumped over in his seat. The bus began to veer out of control.

"He just fell over sideways, but the seatbelt held him in," Widsteen said later. "When I saw his hands go off the steering wheel, I don't know what made me react but I just jumped up and grabbed the wheel because we were headed toward an embankment."

Throwing herself across the rail that separated her from the driver, Widsteen reached up over the collapsed man and grabbed the steering wheel. She used all her strength to try to overpower the heavy vehicle, which had swerved off the highway. The bus ripped up about 170 feet of guard rail and a rear tire blew out before Widsteen was able to turn it back into the driving lane. The driver then revived long enough to slam his feet on the brakes and stop the bus.

All people aboard the vehicle survived the incident. Only one passenger was slightly injured attempting to help Widsteen gain control of the bus.

A rural Topekan, fifty-four years old and the mother of three, Widsteen suddenly found herself the center of much attention. Her act of bravery was the subject of newspaper and magazine articles around the nation, many of which captured her sense of humor about the incident. "I always ride the bus," Widsteen told reporters on the day after the event. "I'm afraid to fly."

Widsteen was showered with honors. Continental Trailways gave her a cash award and a toy replica of the bus she helped save. The City of Topeka bestowed on her its Distinguished Citizen of Topeka Medal. Widsteen also received a medal from the U.S. Congress and congratulatory letters from politicians.

Widsteen's story is one of many told in the Kansas Museum of History's new special exhibit Moments of Glory. The display celebrates how famous, infamous, and not-so-famous Kansans are rewarded and recognized for their acts. It features many Kansans' keepsakes, awards, and souvenirs, including items associated with Debbie Bryant, Miss America 1966; temperance advocate Carry Nation; and actor Ed Asner. Visitors to the display also can view Lucille Widsteen's medals and the replica of the bus she saved from destruction.

Moments of Glory can be seen at the Kansas Museum of History through the end of 1997. The museum galleries are free and open to the public every day of the year except Easter Sunday and Thanksgiving and Christmas days, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. The museum, a division of the Kansas Historical Society, is located at 6425 SW Sixth Avenue, Topeka, KS 66615-1099; 913-272-8681; TTY 913-272-8683.