Donald Vernon Conrad

Donald Vernon Conrad

May 7, 1935 – June 4, 2022

Donald Vernon Conrad; age 87 of Keota, Iowa, left this world to be with his Lord and Savior on June 4, 2022, after a steady decline in his health over the past few years.  He was born the son of Edward and Theresa (Woltering) Conrad and spent his entire life on the family farm just northeast of Keota.  Donnie was the sixth of seven Conrad children:  4 brothers; Kenneth, Joe, Denny, and Ronnie; and 2 sisters; Virginia Groff and Darlene Flynn.  A proud 1952 graduate of Keota High School, he continued to support the school district throughout his life.

Donnie was a devote Catholic who enjoyed serving on many church committees throughout the years.  He also found purpose while sharing God’s word as a church lector.  As a young man, he heard the calling of his Lord and nearly pursued the priesthood had it not been for 2 factors; duty to the family farm and the love of a beautiful farm girl from Carroll, Iowa; Georgia Uckelman, who he married on December 29, 1964.

Donnie and Georgia spent 57 years together on the family farm and were blessed with 6 children; Andy Conrad, Caroline Conrad, Bernadette (Jeff) Hookham, Marjorie (Greg) Proctor, Keith (Susan) Conrad, and Eric Conrad.  7 grandchildren; Paris & Alexis Hookham, Austin & Zackary Proctor, and Reese, Brynn, & Mia Conrad; received the love and wisdom of their grandfather with every visit to the farm.

Donnie served in the Army Reserves and achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC).  He also held the position of President of The Hawkeye Mink Association.  Donnie and Georgia worked together to create and maintain beautiful gardens with peonies, poppies, iris, and bleeding hearts being a few of the couple’s favorites.  He was known to pick a single flower as he doted on his bride throughout their marriage. 

Faith, Family, and Farm were Donnie’s priorities but not far behind was his love for the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Chicago Cubs.  He was thankful that the Cubs won the World Series in his lifetime.  All of the aforementioned brought Donnie’s passion and emotion to the surface.

Donnie was a private man who discretely created meaningful moments in the lives of others through his way of expressing appreciation, kindness, friendship, and love.  Those left to cherish his memory; Georgia, children, grandchildren, his brothers Joe & Denny, and sister-in-law Barbara; will be forever grateful for the impact Donnie made in their lives.

Donnie left us on a Saturday evening at the time he would normally be gathering his family to attend the Holy Trinity Catholic Church and making sure that one and all were presenting themselves in a respectful manner for which they were taught.  At 4:05 pm on June 4, 2022; it wasn’t time for church but instead for him to go to heaven.

A public visitation will be held on Thursday, June 9, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Holy Trinity Parish – St. Mary Catholic Church in Keota, Iowa. Funeral mass will be held following visitation at 5 p.m. with burial in the Holy Trinity Cemeteries – St. Mary’s Cemetery to follow.  Memorials paying tribute to Donnie’s life will be utilized for community betterment purposes and determined at a later date.

Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Keota is caring for Donnie and his family.  Tributes may be made at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.