Obituary for Earl Edward Conerd
Earl E. Conerd 85, of Independence, IA formally of Quasqueton, IA died on Tuesday September 22, 2020 at the Grundy County Hospital in Grundy Center, IA.
Earl was born on November 3, 1934 in Waterloo, IA the son of Earl E. and Neva I. (Murphy) Conerd. Earl attended the Waterloo Community schools and on January 14, 1953 he joined the United States Navy. He served as a deck hand aboard the destroyer U.S.S Gurke during the Korean War. And sailed throughout the Western Pacific Ocean. Upon his Honorable Discharge from the Navy he made his home in Palmdale, CA in the early 1960’s. He moved back to Iowa in 1970 and married Carol M. Fagle in 1971. Together they made their home in Quasqueton, IA. For a short time, Earl work at Geator Manufacturing in Independence, IA before he took a job in the Maintenance Department at the Mental Health Institute in Independence. He worked there for over twenty years and retired in 1999.
Throughout their years together Earl and Carol enjoyed many road trips getting lost & finding new places. They spent many hours on their motorcycle together or in groups with friends. Earl was on the walker bowling league (Thursday nights) where he made lots of friends and enjoyed bowling for fun too! Earl also was a big horseshoe player; he did many competitions with his nephew Jim. They enjoyed a good conversation and beer! Earl was blessed with playing the harmonica and always carried one in his pocket to share a tune wherever he went. Earl had a special wood working area in his garage where you would find him building or tinkering and if not in the garage, he was outside in the yard. If you had the privilege of knowing Earl you were blessed with a tune or two to remember or heard one of his stories he loved to tell!
Earl is survived by his wife of forty nine years, Carol Conerd, Independence, IA, his children Yolanda (Russell) Conrad, Island City, OR, John (Susan) Conerd, WA, and Jeff (Kathy) Kolthoff, Marion, IA, eight grandchildren, two sisters, Norma Drake, AZ, and Nancy Henly, Salem, OR, a brother, Daniel Conerd, Independence, IA, and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Richard, James and David Conerd, and three sisters, Geraldine McCraney, Jean Timmerman, and Sherly McCord.
Friends may visit from 2 PM until 6 PM on Sunday September 27, 2020 at the Reiff Family Center in Independence, IA. A Funeral Service will be held at the Reiff Family Center on Monday September 28, 2020 at 10:30 AM with Rev. Mr. Timothy Post Officiating. Burial will be held at the St. John’s Cemetery in Independence.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic social distancing standards followed and face masks will be recommended for those who attend. Those who do not attend may leave an on-line condolence. Please go to www.reifffamilycenter.com under obituaries.
Earl was born on November 3, 1934 in Waterloo, IA the son of Earl E. and Neva I. (Murphy) Conerd. Earl attended the Waterloo Community schools and on January 14, 1953 he joined the United States Navy. He served as a deck hand aboard the destroyer U.S.S Gurke during the Korean War. And sailed throughout the Western Pacific Ocean. Upon his Honorable Discharge from the Navy he made his home in Palmdale, CA in the early 1960’s. He moved back to Iowa in 1970 and married Carol M. Fagle in 1971. Together they made their home in Quasqueton, IA. For a short time, Earl work at Geator Manufacturing in Independence, IA before he took a job in the Maintenance Department at the Mental Health Institute in Independence. He worked there for over twenty years and retired in 1999.
Throughout their years together Earl and Carol enjoyed many road trips getting lost & finding new places. They spent many hours on their motorcycle together or in groups with friends. Earl was on the walker bowling league (Thursday nights) where he made lots of friends and enjoyed bowling for fun too! Earl also was a big horseshoe player; he did many competitions with his nephew Jim. They enjoyed a good conversation and beer! Earl was blessed with playing the harmonica and always carried one in his pocket to share a tune wherever he went. Earl had a special wood working area in his garage where you would find him building or tinkering and if not in the garage, he was outside in the yard. If you had the privilege of knowing Earl you were blessed with a tune or two to remember or heard one of his stories he loved to tell!
Earl is survived by his wife of forty nine years, Carol Conerd, Independence, IA, his children Yolanda (Russell) Conrad, Island City, OR, John (Susan) Conerd, WA, and Jeff (Kathy) Kolthoff, Marion, IA, eight grandchildren, two sisters, Norma Drake, AZ, and Nancy Henly, Salem, OR, a brother, Daniel Conerd, Independence, IA, and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Richard, James and David Conerd, and three sisters, Geraldine McCraney, Jean Timmerman, and Sherly McCord.
Friends may visit from 2 PM until 6 PM on Sunday September 27, 2020 at the Reiff Family Center in Independence, IA. A Funeral Service will be held at the Reiff Family Center on Monday September 28, 2020 at 10:30 AM with Rev. Mr. Timothy Post Officiating. Burial will be held at the St. John’s Cemetery in Independence.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic social distancing standards followed and face masks will be recommended for those who attend. Those who do not attend may leave an on-line condolence. Please go to www.reifffamilycenter.com under obituaries.