- Born on: September 26, 1938
- Departed on: December 22, 2025
- Resided in: Des Moines, IA
Frances Arvilla (Simmons) Jolliffe
Frances Arvilla (Simmons) Jolliffe was born September 26, 1938, in Bonaparte Iowa to George L. and Dorothy I. Simmons, the fifth of five sisters, and lived in Bonaparte until graduation from Bonaparte High School in 1956. At that time, she began a four-year college journey that began at Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa and completed at Drake University in Des Moines, IA with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Education.
While at Drake, Fran met her husband, Alfred Dwayne Jolliffe. They were married in June 1960 at Bonaparte Presbyterian Church, and by 1964 had grown their family to four. The Jolliffes moved from Cherokee, IA in 1969 when Al began teaching in West Des Moines.
Fran had taught art for a year after graduating and decided that teaching was not what she wanted to do. She shifted her career focus to graphic arts, newspaper layout, design and printing, working full time until her retirement in 2000.
Her hobbies and activities involved church and social groups, most recently The Waukee Women’s Group. She was active at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waukee IA beginning in 1977 when the family relocated there. She loved her family, friends, pets, going to the movies, traveling, getting pedis and creating art, newsletters and the project of the moment - or just doing puzzles - on her computer.
Fran passed away peacefully on the morning of December 22, 2025 in Des Moines, after a long illness. She is survived by her daughter, Rachel Smith, of Des Moines, IA, son John (Robin) Jolliffe of Ankeny, IA, and grandchildren, Maya Jolliffe of Ankeny and Aidan Cobb (Rachael Wojciechowski), of Toledo, OH. Fran is also survived by her beloved life-long friend, Ann Ewing, and many adult nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and four sisters: Mary Ellen (Kenny) Kaness, Elizabeth (Ed) Calvert, Myrna Jeanne (Tiny) Kreiger, Margaret Louise (Glenn) Heald.
Cremation has occurred. A celebration of life open house will be held on January 16th, 2026 from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM at the Hotel Renovo, Salon B, in Urbandale, IA; then in June, a service will be held in Bonaparte, IA followed by burial at Bonaparte Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please strongly consider a donation to The Animal Rescue League of Iowa, your local food pantry or any organization that supports research, caregivers and awareness of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.
