01/13/2019
Alfred Dwayne Jolliffe, 86, was born January 9, 1933, in Knoxville, IA to Elton and Jessie Jolliffe, the fourth of six children, and lived in Knoxville until his graduation from Knoxville High School in 1952. At that time, he entered the United States Marine Corps and served honorably for three years at Quantico, VA.
Upon his discharge from the military, Alfred attended Drake University where he achieved a Master of Fine Arts Degree and met his bride, Frances Simmons.
While finishing his Master’s at Drake, he taught High School art in Cherokee, IA for six years, married Frances in the Presbyterian Church at Bonaparte, IA in 1960, grew their family by two, and then moved said family to West Des Moines, IA in 1968 where he taught Elementary and Junior High art for 25 more years.
Several hobbies occupied Alfred’s spare time well into his retirement. He drew and painted, of course, he loved locks and locksmithing and was an amateur rock hound, but his first love was woodcarving. From the late ’80s into the 2000s, Al entered, placed, and won trophies, ribbons, and best in shows in woodcarving shows across Iowa, including the Iowa State Fair. He also carved beautiful large and small custom pieces for his very satisfied and lucky clientele.
Alfred, a resident of West Des Moines, Iowa, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2019, after a long illness. He is survived by his devoted wife of 58 years, Frances (Simmons) Jolliffe, one daughter, Rachel Smith, of Waukee, IA, one son John (Robin) Jolliffe, and a granddaughter, Maya, of Ankeny, IA.
Alfred is also survived by his brother Dwight (Joan) Jolliffe of Corpus Christie, TX, and a second grandchild, Aidan Cobb-Smith (Rachael Wojciechowski), of Toledo, OH.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Elton and Jessie Jolliffe, three of his brothers and two sisters-in-law, Kenneth Jolliffe, Donald (Geri) Jolliffe, and Robert (Dorothy) Jolliffe, his sister, Velma, and brother-in-law, Wilfred Willemsen.
Visitation and a memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 17, 2019, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waukee, IA beginning at 10:00 am. Memorial service at 11:00 with lunch afterward. Interment of ashes at Knoxville, IA will follow in the spring.
Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association.