AMES, Iowa — Betty Lou McVay Varnum, known for hosting "The House with the Magic Window" show on WOI-TV, has died at the age of 90, according to an obituary posted on Iowa Cremation.
The obituary says Varnum passed away Wednesday night after living a "wonderful, vibrant, courageous, loving and impactful life."
Varnum was born in a Chicago orphanage on May 3, 1931. Her adoptive parents Glen and Louise drove all the way from Platteville, Wisconsin in hopes of adopting a boy. However, when Glen saw her big brown eyes, the couple just had to bring her home.
Varnum attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison where she received her Bachelor's Degree in psychology and a minor in English literature. After graduating, she moved back to Platteville and became a teacher.
It was one of Varnum's college friends from Ames who recommended her to be the replacement host for "The House with the Magic Window."
Her parents, so proud of their daughter, installed a TV antenna in their backyard "tall enough to get the signal," according to the obituary.
Varnum hosted the show from 1951 through 1994, becoming the longest-running children's television show in America. She met her husband James "Red" Varnum on the set.
With her husband voicing Gregory Lion and Dusty the Unicorn, Varnum and Red created the longest partnership in a starring role in TV history.
"It was, you know, pre-Fred Rogers, pre-Sesame Street when local broadcasting, really, for children's educational television, was the go-to source," said Iowa State Historical Museum curator Leo Landis about the show.
The museum has all sorts of memorabilia from the show, including old stuffed animals and the classic set.
The key to the show's success? Landis said it's the way Varnum spoke to children.
"Betty Lou Varnum really did reach out to children as people," Landis said. "And I think that was the appeal of her show and why she was so loved by central Iowa audiences."
Besides the children's show, Varnum was also very involved in human rights. She was most proud of her talk show "Dimension 5" where she brought to light the Native American movement, women's equality and LGBT rights.
She also spoke out on disability rights for Iowans.
Varnum leaves behind her kids and several grandchildren.
She will be laid to rest next to her husband at the Ames Municipal Cemetery. Service details have yet to be provided.