F. Stephen Molle Jr, son of Fred Stephen Molle Sr and J. Pearl Kinkead Molle, was born July 20, 1925, at the farm south of Cooper. Stephen graduated from Franklin Township High School in 1944.
After graduation he began farming. In 1950, Stephen was drafted into the United States Army and served in the occupation of Japan during the Korean Conflict, achieving the rank of sergeant. He was honorably discharged in 1952 and returned to farming.
Stephen and some friends went to a basketball game at the Jamaica school where he met Betty Benson, a teacher. On Sept. 4, 1955, the two were united in marriage at the Congregational Church in Marshalltown.
Stephen and Betty bought the farm next to his parents and have lived there since 1956. They were blessed with a son, George, and two daughters, Kathleen and Kristine.
Stephen was a beloved 4-H leader. He was a lifelong member of the Cooper United Methodist Church where he loved to sing and had a wonderful voice. Stephen and Betty loved to go dancing and traveled the world. He was township trustee, commander of the American Legion firing squad in Jamaica, and a member of the VFW in Jefferson. He loved traveling with the Jamaica Corn Kings. Stephen was frequently seen driving his International 460 in parades and on tractor rides.
Stephen died Jan. 1, 2023, at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Garrett Molle, and sisters Maxine Dolan and Eleanor Meinecke.
Stephen is survived by his wife of 67 years, Betty Molle of Jefferson; son George Molle of Jamaica; daughters Kathleen Molle (Janet Walston) of Council Bluffs and Rev. Kristine Frank (Ed) of Dike; grandchildren Amanda Webster (Kyle) of Council Bluffs, John Crummer (Kelly) of Omaha, Jason Leib of Des Moines, Tiffany Smith of Churdan, Stephen Molle of Jamaica, and Luke Molle of Churdan; seven step-grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and many friends.
Funeral services were Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson. Burial took place at Franklin Township Cemetery in Cooper, Iowa. Memorials may be sent to Hastings Funeral Home, PO Box 204, Perry, IA 50220.
