Biographical Sketch of the
Laurence and Grace Ames Family

 

Laurence Ames was born on January 21, 1908. He married Grace Bell, the daughter of Amos and Ivie Bell. Grace was born on October 26, 1911, and graduated in 1930. Laurence was employed as a boner by the George A. Hormel packing company in Austin, Minnesota.

Laurence Ames

His hobby was photography, and he produced many excellent photographs. Grace worked at Fantle's in Austin for many years, until she retired late in life -- and always wore nice clothes.

Grace Bell Ames

Laurence died of a heart attack, at home, on April 8, 1974; while Grace died on June 27, 1992. Both were buried in Grandview Cemetery south of Austin.

Grace Bell was the oldest child in her family. She had a brother, John Carter Bell and a sister, Sue, who was the youngest. The children grew up in the Lyle, Minnesota area. Sue later married someone who was surnamed Elliott.

Laurence and Grace had two children, a girl named Vonda Lee who was born in Austin,

John Ames

Minnesota, on May 18, 1933, and a boy named John, or Jack as he was commonly known, who was born March 28, 1935. Both Vonda and Jack grew up in Austin.

Lloyd and Vonda Young and baby

In grade school and high school Vonda's best friend was Polly Jelinek, and they loved to spend time together. They would use secret signals to arrange meetings; would try to eat their lunches together--sharing food.

Vonda first married a man named Lloyd Young, and they had four children: John Young and his wife Pam, David Young, Patrick and his wife Holly, and Maureen Starmack & her husband Thomas.

Vonda, or "Bubs" as she was known, later married Owen Anders Jacobsen on October 29, 1969 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Vonda owned and operated

Owen and Vonda Jacobsen

the Windrift Bar and Restaurant in Austin for seven years, and later managed the Austin Motel, until 1993. She enjoyed volunteering, being a senior companion, and also in being a hospice volunteer. Owen and Vonda had one son, and his name was Christian.

Vonda died at the age of 75 years, on July 7, 2008, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota, and at that time had been living in Dexter, Mower county, Minnesota. Her husband, Owen, preceded her in death.

John joined the U.S. Navy and served for 20 years, part of the time as

Laurence & Grace and John & Vonda - 1951

an MP and part of the time as a chef. Supposedly he prepared a meal once for the President of the United States. After retiring from the Navy, John worked as a baggage handler at an airport. John died of a heart attack at the fairly young age of 48; it is believed that he died in April 1983.