The Life of LORNA JEAN BULLIS
L. Jean (Goyer) Bullis, 94 years young, died Wednesday, October 20, 2010, while residing at Urbandale’s Senior Suites Assisted Living facility. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, October 25, 2010, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue, Des Moines, with burial at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to service time at the funeral home.
Born June 17, 1916, Des Moines, Iowa was home to Jean except several early years in Panora, Iowa. Her brother, Lloyd R. Goyer, oversaw her childhood wellbeing and introduced her to his best friend who became Jean’s husband of 49 years. Jean was her mother’s (Ethel A. (Ladd) Goyer) friend and her father’s (Claude U. Goyer) fishing ‘go get it girl’. During Jean’s early years, she learned the joys and hardships of travel, water sports, and camping. She learned to deal with adversity without complaint and always had the ability to find or make fun with each situation life dealt her.
Jean graduated an honor student from East High School, attended Drake University for a year and worked full time for the Des Moines Public Library. On July 4, 1937 Jean, age 21, married her fiancée of five years, Robert William Bullis, age 26. They resided in a two room ‘cottage’ built by Robert and Jean prior to their marriage. They cleared two acres of virgin forest for the cottage. During their marriage 30 acres were added, sustaining the family of 4 at a time when life was less hectic. Bob worked as a day carpenter and an evening - weekend farmer. During the next 20 years, Bob and children built an English Tudor, four-bedroom home on the acreage next to the cottage. This house became the Bullis gathering place for family and friends, as well as a welcome center to international exchange students and tourists. In addition, many grade school children visited to see the mineral and crystal rock collection of Bob and Jean.
Daughters Lonnie and Gail were born five and eight years into the marriage. Shortly thereafter Bob was diagnosed with a heart disease and wasn’t expected to live. Jean’s 35+ years in the secretarial and office managerial fields began, as she became the breadwinner. Through the years, Jean proudly shared her career accomplishments. She worked for Diamond Laboratories and for the Department of Pathology within Iowa Lutheran Hospital. She retired there with over 30 years of service. Bob survived to age 76, lovingly cared for by Jean until his death.
Jean and Bob spent countless hours in church related activities and other organizations. Jean joyfully served as an almost life long Sunday school teacher and later as church organist. She loved vegetable gardening and always shared the produce of her labors. She was also an ‘ace’ gin rummy player. Jean served as childcare provider to all grandchildren; all had lots of smiles and fun. Bob and Jean enjoyed traveling taking yearly vacations, often with family members or friends. Jean took one trip abroad to England, Italy, Switzerland and France after her retirement and Bob’s death.
Known for her warm smile, cheerful non-complaining manner, her pies, cream puffs and holiday confectioneries Jean Bullis was a daughter, sister, friend, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was preceded in death by an infant sister Nina Lucille Goyer, her parents Claude U. and Ethel A. Goyer, her brother Lloyd Richard Goyer, and her husband, Robert William Bullis. Those left to carry her memory forward are Lonnie and Jim Johnson, Missouri, grandchildren Bruce and Shari Johnson, Kansas and Jennifer and Steve Page, Missouri and Gail and Cliff Scherrer, Iowa and grandchildren Wade Bullis and Chris and Ahren Gross and great grandchildren Benjamin and Henri Gross, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Waukee Baptist Church at 45 4th Street, Waukee, Iowa 50263.