Frances (Holcomb) Chamberlain

Frances (Holcomb) Chamberlain, 91, of Johnston, died Sunday, February 24, after a brief illness.
Funeral services will be 11 AM Wednesday, February 27th at St Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Johnston, with the Reverend John Gilmore officiating. The family will greet friends on Tuesday from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway. Burial services will be in Sioux City on Saturday, March 1.
Fran was born November 2, 1916, in Sioux City, to Mae and Joseph Kelly. Her early childhood was spent in Washington, D.C., and then the family returned to Sioux City. She graduated from East High School in 1934 and worked at the Sioux City Tribune until her marriage to Robert Merlin Holcomb in 1939. They were married for 50 years, until his death in 1989. During this time they lived in Lawton and Sioux City.
Fran joined the staff of Morningside College in 1955, and for many years served as Secretary to the Dean of the college. Her 26 years of service to the college were recognized at her retirement in 1981 as a recipient of “The Order of Morningside.”
As a longtime member of the Sioux City Boat Club (later Dakota Dunes), Fran loved golfing and played frequently. She also enjoyed travel and after retirement spent time in Sun City, Arizona.
Fran was a 50 year member of Morningside Presbyterian Church in Sioux City. It was there, in 1993, that she and Ervin Hinkley were married. He died in 1998. She was also preceded in death by Laurence Chamberlain, to whom she was married from 2000 to 2002. Two sisters, Vivian Kelly and Mildred Yellman, and one brother, Joseph Kelly also preceded her in death.
Survivors include daughter, Virginia Soelberg of Johnston; son, James Holcomb (Linda Moller) of Urbandale; five grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandson. She will be missed by her many friends at McAuley Terrace, including special friend Joe Unverferth
Memorials may be given to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 1025 Ashworth Rd. Suite 512, West Des Moines, IA 50265

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