Allison Scholes

On March 24, 2025, a North Dakota cowboy rode into the sunset. Allison “Al” Scholes was the last of ten children born to Dean and Roaine (Hotmam) Scholes. Born in Carson, ND on February 6, 1939, Al was raised on ranch near there. He rode a horse 5 miles to a one room school until high school. While attending Elgin High School, he had to board with a family in town, which was common at that time for all ranch kids. He played 6-man football and was active in FFA. He was the first in his big family to get a 4 year collage degree, majoring in Agricultural Economy at NDSU. He was a proud NDSU Bison fan the remainder of his life. He was also a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. Al took a break from college to join the Army for two years, stationed in Verdun, France. He graduated in 1966 and met a cute brunette in Sioux Falls, SD at his first job, a sales rep for Agrico Chemicals. He won Becky Wulkow’s heart and they married 6 months later! Two sons blessed their marriage, Chad and Reid. After settling in Urbandale, IA, Al became a partner at Baer Ag Supply in Waukee. Eventually that business was sold and he worked for Heartland Co-Op for several years. He finished out his career by working for Altoona Co-Op. After retirement, he drove school bus for 20 years for Waukee Schools. His favorite job was driving #22, a short bus, for special needs kids.

Al became a Master Gardner, a Mason, Shriner and member of Scottish Rite, and spent many an hour shooting skeet at the New pioneer Gun Club. He also shot at the Des Moines Rifle and Pistol Range and used to hunt. He was active in the Iowa Fertilizer and Chemical Association and became its President in 1984. He loved politics and American history. When the Lewis and Clark Expedition Reenactment formed, he followed them one summer from St. Charles, MO all the way to Great Falls, MT. Al and Becky loved to travel, including all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, Morocco, Ireland, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Spain, Italy, England and all over Europe.

Al and Becky joined Lutheran Church of Hope in 1977. He took classes to deepen his faith and cherished the fellowship of his small group. He drove bus for the downtown campus, picking up homeless for church service and breakfast.

He is survived by his wife Becky, and sons Chad (Andrea), Chappaqua, NY, and Reid (Stephanie), Scottsdale, AZ, one grandson, Luke and a brother, Jim, Kent WA. He is also blessed with numerous nieces and nephews and their families, as well as in-laws and lots of friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines on April 11th at 11:00AM. Burial will take place at a later date in the Iowa Veterans Cemetery. Memorials can be made to American Diabetes Association.

Service will be livestreamed at https://wdm.lutheranchurchofhope.org/funeral-livestream/