Laurence Elwyn Jolly

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

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