Vance "Pony" Ambroson

Vance “Pony” Ambroson, 76, of Leland died Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Leland with Rose Visser, lay minister officiating. Burial will be at Forest Home Cemetery in Leland with military rites by the Leland Veterans Ceremonial Unit.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 P.M., Tuesday at the Cataldo Schott Funeral Home in Forest City and will resume one hour prior to services at the church.

Memorials may be directed to Our Saviors Lutheran Church or Wounded Warriors.

Arnold Vance Ambroson, the son of Arnold and Jean (Evanson) Ambroson, was born March 13, 1941 in Forest City. He was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Leland and graduated from Forest City High School in 1958. After graduating, he attended cosmetology school. Pony served his country in the U.S. Army during Vietnam from 1964 to 1966 in the 5th Calvary Unit. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to Leland and worked at the local elevator for ten years as assistant manager. On August 8, 1969 he married Judy Gast in Sioux Falls, SD. They lived in Leland where they farmed and raised their three children, Greg, Kyla Mae and Jason. Pony lived on the same block in Leland his whole life. He enjoyed his family and playing the role of Santa Claus during Christmas. He was instrumental in establishing the Leland VFW Post No. 6161 and was known for his generosity in helping others.

He was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Leland and the Leland VFW Post No. 6161.

Pony is survived by his wife, Judy, of Leland; three children, Greg (Rosemary) Ambroson of Azle, TX, Kyla Mae Ambroson of MOSAIC in Forest City and Jason (Andrea) Ambroson of Smithville, MO; three grandchildren, Randa (Chris) Hickman of Azle, TX, Rylee Ambroson of Smithville, MO and Ayden Ambroson of Smithville, MO; a great granddaughter, Annalise Rose Hickman; a sister, Debra (William) Ward of Greeley, CO; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Karen Boyd.