1ST LT Harley Lee Drollinger
1924 - 2018 (93 years)-
Name Harley Lee Drollinger Prefix 1ST LT Birth 8 Aug 1924 Madrid, Perkins, NE 
- Nebraska, U.S., Birth Ledgers
Name: Harley Lee Drollinger
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 8 Aug 1924
Birth Place: Perkins, Nebraska, USA
Parent 1 Name: Lynn R Drollinger
Certificate Number: 18705
Birth Certificate Type: Normal
Gender Male Death 30 Jul 2018 Yakima, Yakima, WA - Harley Lynn Drollinger
AUGUST 8, 1924 - JULY 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.
DONATIONS
In lieu of flowers, please give to the Union Gospel Mission or Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church of Yakima.
AUGUST 29
Graveside Service
9:30 am
WEST HILLS MEMORIAL PARK
11800 Douglas Road
Yakima, Washington 98908
Harley died in his home.
Burial Yakima, Yakima, WA - BURIAL West Hills Memorial Park
Yakima, Yakima County, Washington, USA
Person ID I2870 Drollinger Genealogy Last Modified 12 Jan 2025
Father Lynn Roberts Drollinger, b. 24 Oct 1900, Hastings, Adams, NE d. 18 Sep 1977, Sunnyside, Yakima, WA (Age 76 years) Mother Virginia Lenore Howard, b. 17 Mar 1902, Kenesaw, Adams, NE d. 5 May 1994, Yakima, Yakima, WA (Age 92 years) Family ID F927 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family Patricia Lee "Pat" Bleasner Children 1. Wilma Lee Drollinger 2. Bruce Preston Drollinger 3. Ruth Lorene Drollinger Family ID F4562 Group Sheet | Family Chart Last Modified 30 Dec 2021
- Nebraska, U.S., Birth Ledgers
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Event Map 
Birth - 8 Aug 1924 - Madrid, Perkins, NE 
Death - 30 Jul 2018 - Yakima, Yakima, WA Burial - - Yakima, Yakima, WA = Link to Google Earth
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Photos 
At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld. 
(L-R) Allen Earl Miller, Lynn Howard Drollinger, Harley Lee Drollinger, and Martin Allen Drollinger
Harley and Pat (granddaughter, Beth's wedding 4 Jul 2011) 
1942 senior yearbook photo
North Central High School
Spokane, Washington
Harley Lee Drollinger and B-24 Liberator
Documents 
WWII Draft Registration Card 
WWII Draft Registration Card 
The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Washington) 04 Sep 1949, Sun Page 39
1930 Census
The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Washington) 04 Sep 1949, Sun Page 39
At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld. 
Daily Sun-News
Sunnyside, Washington · Thursday, January 27, 1955 Page 12
Former Sunnyside Man To Be Ordained In Lutheran Church Next Sunday Eve.
Daily Sun-News
Sunnyside, Washington · Thursday, August 05, 1965 Page 7
Harley Drollinger To Enter Ministry
Daily Sun-News
Sunnyside, Washington · Thursday, August 09, 1962 Page 9
Richland Lutheran Church Ordains Its First Minister
Tri-City Herald
Pasco, Washington · Friday, August 06, 1965 Page 5
Tough Beginning For 40 Missions
Spokane Chronicle
Spokane, Washington · Saturday, June 23, 1945 Page 3
Headstones 
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Notes - Goes by Harley.
Harley built a home on property next to his son, Bruce, in Naches, Yakima, Washington and is the home he died in.
www.oceancareers.com/employer_listing_brief.php%3Femployer_id%3D1813+drollinger&hl=en
Employer Listing
Harley L Drollinger
Line of Business: Marine Construction
Firm Address:
923 S 18th Ave
Yakima , WA 98902
Contacting Harley L Drollinger
Phone: 5092487440
Email: None Listed
Web: No URL Listed
(what the heck is this about?! I didn't know my uncle was doing this!)
Excerpt from letter dated 12 Apr 2012 to David H. Drollinger from Wilma Lee Drollinger-Larson:
"Dad was in the Air Force as you know, then he went to Gonzaga University with your dad. He graduated in 1949. Then he and mom moved from Spokane to Prosser, WA 1949-1960. Lived in Richland, WA from 1960-1962. Dad went to Wartburg Lutheran Seminary from 1962 to 1965 when he graduated. They moved to Potlatch, Idaho in 1965 to 1974 when they moved to Yakima." (David H. Drollinger 17 Apr 2012)
Ruth Drollinger
My dad Harley, 90 yrs. old, 1st Lieutenant Bombardier, 307th Squadron and a "Long Ranger" was featured on CBS News tonight! He flew 40 missions in the South Pacific on a B-24 like this. Dad brought laughter and near tears to the crowd that gathered. Watch the video, see photos and read Dad's biography here. We are going to get him his own "Harley TV" you tube channel! Thanks to Cousin Dave (far right on news broadcast, who talked about my Uncle Howard who flew P-51s and was shot down in Europe and smuggled out by the French Underground... both were MIA's causing many grey hairs for my grandparents. One of the veterans in the photo was a prisoner of war in Germany for 1 1/2 years in a concentration camp, another one was a medic on a naval ship that rescued Dad's fellow crew members and pilots when they got hurt or captured by the Japanese. Note Dad's Bomber Jacket which shows all his missions on the last photo! Such rich history.. such a treasure to be the daughter of a veteran!!!
http://www.kimatv.com/?/Veterans-remember-war-underneath-vi?
Father's are their children's first role models. My father, Harley, has spent the last 66 (yes 66!) years loving, honoring, cherishing and being a faithful and committed partner to my mother, Patricia. My mom never once had to worry that he would cheat on her, lie to her, spend their money frivolously without consulting her, nor did she worry he would abandon her or fail to protect her. Dad knew how important it was to play with us kids and teach us how to work hard and serve our country. Thank you for being such a wonderful role model to me. Happy Father's Day Harley Drollinger! Today I sat next to my Dad in church while my mom volunteered to play piano for 2 services at the nursing home. (See photo taken this morning outside their church) If you have a spare puzzle, send him one! He just finished his latest complicated masterpiece at over 1000 pieces. Jun 2015
U.S., World War II Draft Card
Name: Harley Lee Drollinger
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 21
Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head)
Birth Date: 8 Aug 1924
Birth Place: Madrid, Nebraska
Residence Place: Spokane, Washington, USA
Registration Date: 1 Oct 1945
Registration Place: Washington, USA
Employer: Discharged Veteran
Weight: 129
Complexion: Ruddy
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Brown
Height: 5 4
Next of Kin: Virginia L Drollinger
Household Members:
Name Relationship
Harley Lee Drollinger Self (Head)
United States World War II Army Enlistment Records
Name Harley L Drollinger
Marital Status Single, without dependents
Event Type Military Service
Event Date 21 Nov 1942
Event Place Geiger Field, Spokane, Washington, United States
Race White
Citizenship Status citizen
Birth Year 1924
Birthplace NEBRASKA
Education Level 4 years of high school
Civilian Occupation General farmers
Army Branch Air Corps
Army Component Reserves - exclusive of Regular Army Reserve and Officers of the Officers Reserve Corps on active duty under the Thomason Act (Officers and Enlisted Men -- O.R.C. and E.R.C., and Nurses-Reserve Status)
Source Reference Civil Life
Serial Number 19033969
Affiliate ARC Identifier 1263923
Box Film Number 03023.24
1930 United States Federal Census
Name: Lynn R Drollinger
Birth Year: abt 1901
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age in 1930: 29
Birthplace: Nebraska
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1930: Valley, Perkins, Nebraska, USA
Map of Home: Valley, Perkins, Nebraska
Dwelling Number: 35
Family Number: 37
Home Owned or Rented: Owned
Radio Set: Yes
Lives on Farm: Yes
Age at First Marriage: 21
Attended School: No
Able to Read and Write: Yes
Father's Birthplace: Illinois
Mother's Birthplace: Iowa
Able to Speak English: Yes
Occupation: Farmer
Industry: General Farm
Class of Worker: Employer
Employment: Yes
Household Members Age Relationship
Lynn R Drollinger 29 Head
Virginia L Drollinger 28 Wife
Howard L Drollinger 7 Son
Harley L Drollinger 5 Son
Martin A Drollinger 2 Son
1940 United States Federal Census
Name: Lynn Drollinger
Age: 39
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1901
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Nebraska
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1940: Five Mile, Spokane, Washington
Map of Home in 1940: View map
Farm: Yes
Inferred Residence in 1935: Rural, Perkins, Nebraska
Residence in 1935: Rural, Perkins, Nebraska
Resident on farm in 1935: Yes
Sheet Number: 11A
Number of Household in Order of Visitation: 243
Occupation: Sand & Gravel Truck Driver (working for his half brother, Fred Drollinger at Acme Sand & Gravel)
House Owned or Rented: Rented
Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented: 12
Attended School or College: No
Highest Grade Completed: College, 1st year
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 48
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker in private work
Weeks Worked in 1939: 52
Income: 1400
Income Other Sources: Yes
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Lynn Drollinger 39
(Wife) Virginia Drollinger 38 Nebraska
(Son) Lynn Howard Drollinger 16 Nebraska
(Son) Harley Lee Drollinger 15 Nebraska
(Son) Martin Drollinger 12 Nebraska
1950 Census
Name Harley L Drollinger
Sex Male
Age 25 years
Birth Year (Estimated) 1925
Birthplace Nebraska
Residence Place spokane, wash
Marital Status Married
Industry Concrete Ready Lining
Race W
Relationship to Head of Household Head
Father's Birthplace USA
Mother's Birthplace USA
Event Date 10 April 1950
Event Place Prosser, Benton, Washington, United States
Enumeration District 3-55
Line Number 24
Page Number 73
Harley L Drollinger's Spouses and Children
Patricia L Drollinger
Wife
F
19 years
Washington
- Goes by Harley.