Jeffrey Sjolin

Jeffrey Sjolin, 79, of Atlantic, formerly of Des Moines, passed away Sunday, December 26, 2021, at Atlantic Specialty Care.

Jeffrey was born on September 22, 1942, in Newton, Iowa to Ernest and Edith Sjolin. Shortly after his birth, his father went into World War II, at which time he and his mother moved to Oaks, North Dakota. After the war, Jeffrey and his family moved to Des Moines, Iowa where he attended Des Moines Christian school. In the 5th grade he met Mrs. Reed who helped him become a saved Christian and inspired him to be a devout learner. In his younger years he thoroughly enjoyed working with his father where he learned a great deal about mechanics that helped him his entire life.

He later graduated from East High School in Des Moines and then attended Drake University as an undergraduate and eventually graduated with his Doctorate Degree in Pharmacy. After graduating from Drake, he opened a pharmacy in Des Moines where he worked a number of years before selling his business. He then moved to Africa and spent time in numerous locations throughout the continent, where he preached in stadiums to thousands of people at one time without using a mic. His discipleship in Africa lasted over 23 years and he came away from that season speaking seven different languages. Upon his return to America, Jeffrey worked for Larry and Lonna Kurth at Wards East Side Pharmacy in Des Moines and became an ordained Pastor for the Evangelical Free Church of America. During this time, he also acted as Pastor for the East Side Evangelical Free Church of Des Moines.

In 2008, Cheryl Dunlap attended a retreat in Leon, Iowa and was introduced Jeffrey. Shortly thereafter they were married in Des Moines and enjoyed 13 years together. During their life together, they lived in a home built in 1906 that Jeffrey had purchased. While there he enjoyed building a three-car garage, planting a heritage rose garden, rows of forsythia bushes and purchasing his beloved pets. When he wasn’t working on the house, he and Cheryl traveled to Branson, Missouri numerous times, as well as Tucson, Arizona to visit their son and his family.

Jeffrey was an avid reader; especially the Bible. He was known to read the Word daily, for hours at a time, clear up until his final days. He was also an excellent cook baker and was known for his vinegar pie’s. Jeffrey was ultimately dedicated to his Lord and Savior; a fact that no one would ever dispute.

He is survived by his wife, Cheryl (Dunlap) Sjolin of Atlantic; brothers-in-law, Jim Druen of Belton, Missouri, and Verle (Arlene) Akes of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; nephew, David (Kaylene) Akes, and children of Sioux Falls; niece, Jennifer Akes of Sioux Falls; aunts, Marion Akes and Virginia Akes both of Osceola, Iowa.

Jeffrey is preceded in death by his parents, Ernest David and Edith (Buske) Sjolin; son, David Dunlap; sister, Susan Druen; infant brother; mother and father-in-law, Dean and Lila Akes; and his dear pets, Suppy, Ashure and Levi.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 5, 2022, at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic. Visitation with the family present will begin at 9:00 a.m. the day of the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Leon Cemetery in Leon, Iowa.

Memorials may be made to the family for later designation.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Jeffrey’s family and his arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.