Franklin Stewart Layland

Franklin Stewart Layland, the son of Dallas and Maude (Perry) Layland, was born February 22, 1925, at his parents’ home northwest of Hamlin, Iowa and died August 8, 2015, at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa at the age of 90 years, 5 months, and 16 days.
Franklin was baptized and confirmed at the Methodist Church in Audubon, Iowa and later confirmed at the Exira Lutheran Church in 1963. He attended rural school east of Hamlin and then attended the Audubon High School graduating with the Class of 1943. On August 20, 1943, He enlisted in the U.S. Navy. During his tour of duty he served in the South Pacific on LST 468. Franklin was honorably discharged on March 16, 1946 and returned to the Hamlin area and was employed at various jobs.
On January 24, 1948, he was united in marriage to Darlene Nelsen at a church in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Two sons Franklin, Jr. and Charles were born to this union. Franklin and Darlene lived in Hamlin for a short time before purchasing a farm northeast of Exira, Iowa in 1950. They lived on the farm until 2007 when they moved to their present home in Exira. Franklin farmed until 1960 then started a new career with Betts & Beers Construction from Adair, Iowa. He was employed by the company for 32 years as a job Superintendent until he retired in 1992. During retirement Franklin and Darlene enjoyed traveling to many states to visit friends and relatives. He enjoyed family gatherings and sitting on their front porch visiting with friends. Franklin enjoyed his many trips to Branson, Missouri for reunions with his WWII Navy buddies and especially enjoyed his trip to Washington D.C. on the Honor Flight.
Franklin was a member of the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa. He was a member of the Audubon Post No. 120, American Legion and Ballou Post No. 332, V.F.W. Exira.
Preceding him in death was his son Franklin Layland, Jr.; his parents; his infant brother Dallas Layland, Jr.; and his daughter-in-law Sandra Layland and his brother-in-law Fred Sievers, Jr.
Survivors include his wife Darlene Layland of Exira, Iowa; his son Charles Layland of Clive, Iowa; his grandson Drew Layland of Ankeny, Iowa; his step-grandson Shawn and wife Melissa Mundell of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; his sisters Betty Sievers of Audubon, Iowa and Lorraine Zieser of Des Moines, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
The Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be conducted by Pastor Steven Frock on Saturday, August 15, 2015, at 11:00 A.M. at the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa. Inurnment will be in the Exira Cemetery in Exira at a later date.