Frances L. (Lane) James (2009)

JAMES, LANE, ADAMSON

Posted By: Mary Welty Hart, Volunter (email)
Date: 11/19/2009 at 16:27:33

Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Iowa
November 18, 2009

FRANCES L. JAMES, DeSoto

Frances James, 85, passed away Sunday, November 15, 2009 at Legacy Pointe in Waukee. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 19, 2009 at McCalley Funeral Home in Adel with burial at South Oak Grove Cemetery in Stuart. Friends may call after 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home where family will greet friends from 4 to 7 p.m.

Fran was born on November 22, 1923 on a farm near Orient, to Edward Lane and Nellie Adamson. She graduated from Orient High School, class of '41’ and married her high school sweetheart Warren James on May 24, 1942. She worked in the Pentagon in Washington DC during the war, later settled in Pitzer, Iowa then moved to De Soto in 1952.

She was a gifted pianist and made music her entire life, first with the Lane Family band then the Dunkerson Sisters Orchestra. She joined the Art Butterfield Jazz Band when moving to De Soto then played for three decades with the Hi-Fives who recorded two albums. Joining Norm Coenen in 1991 they formed The Veltones and entertained for sixteen years. The last two years she performed as the Softones with Lowell Wagoner.

She spent eight years working at Parker Brothers Games in Urbandale. Vivacious & spirited, Fran loved to dance (especially at Lake Robbins), play cards and travel frequently to Branson. She was a devoted wife and mother, and a member of the De Soto Methodist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter, Dixie, four brothers and a sister. She is survived by her two sons, Doug (Grace) of Chicago and Dan (Paula) of Adel, nine grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren.

Memorials may be directed to the De Soto Methodist Church.