Betty K. Jolly

Betty Kay Jolly, age 82, passed away peacefully at her home on August 26th, 2021. On August 3rd, 1939, she was born to Harold Christian and Mabel Martha (Paul) Zieman in Thornton, Iowa. Betty grew up in the Meservey area and lived on the family “Century Farm” for most of her childhood. She attended Meservey Community School and graduated in 1957. She married the love of her life, Richard Glen Jolly, on June 8th, 1958, in Meservey, Iowa, but they resided in Hampton, Iowa. Betty and Richard shared a milestone as they celebrated their Golden Anniversary in 2008. Betty loved babies and was blessed with three children; Tamera Kay, Wanda Marie, and Michael Glenn. Later in life, she was blessed with nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

They moved to Ames, IA, in 1963, where Richard worked for Ames Lab. They helped establish North Grand Church of Christ in Ames and are both charter members; Betty taught Sunday School for 27 years for 4&5-year-olds. She worked cleaning houses and the church for many years. She worked with ceramics with Wanda Martin from the ’70s to the ’90s; she also painted ceramics and helped Wanda in her gift shop. Betty worked for Nadine’s drapery from 1990-1999, making valances, draperies, shams, pillows, etc., installing many of them for almost ten years. Betty was also involved in a quilting group for the church making hundreds of quilts for missions. Betty’s passion was sewing quilts, table runners, placemats, purses, and most anything. She was very artistic and crafty, and her family was fortunate to be gifted with her many sewing projects throughout the years. She also loved jigsaw puzzles., had a big garden, and canning lots of things. In her last few years, she enjoyed her flower garden.

Betty loved nothing more than her family and left to cherish her memory are her husband Richard, daughter, Wanda (Terry) Bowers of Des Moines, Iowa; son, Michael (Julie) Jolly of Mason City, Iowa; granddaughters, Dena (Chris) Hilpipre of Altoona, Iowa, Michelle Shubert of Mexico, Jenna (Gary) Helvey Springfield, MO, Jaimee Jolly of Doyline, LA, Miranda Jolly of Mason City, Iowa, Ashely (Garrett)West of Clear Lake, Iowa; grandsons, Nicholas (Laura) Pence of Des Moines, Iowa, Eann (Kristina) Bowers of Huxley, Iowa and Payton Bowers of Des Moines, Iowa; sister, Shirley (Bud) Katuin of Goodell, Iowa; one brother, Duane (Sandy) Zieman of Forest Grove, Oregon; sister-in-law, Beverly Zieman of Meservey, Iowa and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Tamera; brothers, Royall Paul and Eldon Zieman; sister, Myra Frohling, and two nephews Daryl Zieman and Kent Frohling.