Harley Lee Drollinger – Aug 8, 1924 – Jul 30, 2018
Harley Lee Drollinger went peacefully home to his heavenly Father, whom he loved and served all of his life, on July 30, 2018.
Harley was born on a farm in Madrid, NE on August 8, 1924 to Lynn and Virginia Drollinger. His early years were spent in NE, and when he was older his family moved to Spokane, WA where his father found work. Harley (Drolly to his fellow airmen) served in the Air Force as a bombardier on B-24s during WWII. He later regaled his grandchildren with stories of the time he and his crew were shot down over the Pacific, swam to an island, and were rescued by a submarine. He went on to fly in 39 more missions.
After the war Harley took advantage of the GI Bill and attended Gonzaga University where he received his degree in Civil engineering. Upon graduating, he joined the family business, Valley Ready-Mix Concrete Company in Sunnyside, WA. On a visit home to see his parents he offered a ride to a pretty neighbor and on August 14, 1949 he married that girl, the love of his life, Patricia Bleasner. They were married almost 70 years. Their first home together was in Prosser, WA, where daughter Wilmalee and son Bruce were born.
Harley and Pat were involved in ministry from the very beginning; together they started a youth ministry at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Grandview, WA, which Harley had helped to build. In 1961 they moved to Richland, WA to help start another Ready-Mix plant. While in Richland daughter Ruth was born. During that year an important decision was prayerfully made; Harley felt called to the pastoral ministry. He left the family business and enrolled at Wartburg Lutheran Seminary in Dubuque, IA. Upon completion of his training there in 1965 he accepted a call to be pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Potlatch, ID. With God’s help, much enthusiasm, and his previous building experience, Harley led volunteer workers in raising the church and putting in a full basement. Many other improvements were added to the church.
In 1974, after nine good years as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, as well as a joint ministry to the Community Presbyterian Church, Harley and his family moved to Yakima, WA where he spent the rest of his life, cheerfully working hard and blessed with good health. He built two new homes, was employed as a civil engineer, and operated his own house rental business. He and Pat were very active at First Presbyterian Church where Harley served as an Elder, a Deacon and a Bible teacher of the Golden Circle class. Harley had a servant’s heart and filled needs wherever needed. Harley and Pat especially supported the ministries of Wycliffe Bible Translators and Compassion International.
Harley’s energy and enthusiasm for life was boundless, he knew no stranger, and loved to tease. His life was filled with love; of Jesus, of people, and of laughter. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
He is preceded in death by his brothers Howard and Martin (Marty) Drollinger, and grandson, Noble Stoneman.
Harley is survived by his wife of 69 years, Patricia, his children Wilmalee (Francis) Larson, Bruce (Diane) Drollinger, and Ruth Drollinger, his eight grandchildren, and his nine great-grand children.
A graveside service will be held at West Hills Memorial Park in Yakima at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 29, 2018. The memorial service will follow at Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please give to the Union Gospel Mission or Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church of Yakima.
