Laurence Elwyn Jolly
December 16, 2012
Laurence Elwyn Jolly, 94, passed away to be with his Lord on Sunday, December 16, 2012.
Laurence was born on June 27, 1918, to Fay and Luella (Petersohn) Jolly, in Des Moines. He graduated from East High School in 1936. While working at Tone Brothers he met Betty Jane Hesseltine, and they were married February 21, 1941. He joined the U.S. Army in 1944 and served during WWII in the European Theater. After he returned from the service, he started working at John Deere Des Moines Works and worked there until he retired in 1981.
He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church for 60 years, and then he became a member of Lutheran Church of the Cross in Altoona. He enjoyed singing at East High and St. Paul Lutheran Church. He also sang in Barber Shop groups, and he and Betty danced for many years with the Polka Club of Iowa. He was an avid reader and a loyal Iowa Hawkeye and Chicago Cubs fan. Laurence enjoyed visiting with friends and playing bingo at the Norwoodville Senior Center. He was a member of VFW Post 738.
Laurence is survived by his wife Betty of 71 years; five children, Betty (Gene) Upstill of Gilbert, Iowa, Lauren (Al) Adams, Laurence, Jr. (Gloria), Janet (Tom) Stenger, and Patti (Don) Stromley, all of Des Moines; 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and his brother, Fay Jolly. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Vernon; sister, Erla Jolly Brown; and his grandson, Alexander Jolly.
Visitation will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., followed by a 6:30 p.m. funeral service, on Wednesday, December 19, 2012, at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 1701 8th Street SW in Altoona. Laurence will be laid to rest at 11 a.m., Thursday, at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Tom Lovig
12/20/2012
My condolences to your family on your loss of Laurence. Jolly was one of the first guys I meet when I hired in at John Deere He was a very kind and thoughtful and encouraging man He helped me through some difficult times at Deere You will be in our prayers
samantha mills
12/20/2012
I was one of the lucky kids that got to be with lawrence and betty everyday. they were amazing people and lawrence will live on in my heart and the hearts of many others. I have many fond memories of the two.
Pamela Last (cousin) - Vinton, Iowa
12/18/2012
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of sorrow. Laurence was such a kind, thoughtful man, with a sense of humor. He always took the time at family gatherings to speak to everyone - he will be dearly missed.
Dave & Ellen McDonald
12/18/2012
Betty, so sorry to hear about your Dad. We so enjoyed meeting him and your Mom at their 70th anniversary. It is always difficult but especially at this time of the year. He now knows the love of the Lord forever.
Patricia Peercy Rutledge
12/17/2012
So sorry about Laurence, my mom was married to Vernon, I am still in Texas, lost my husband 6 years ago, nothing is the same.