Obituary of Donald Conrad

Donald DeWayne Conrad, 84, of Cambridge passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at GracePointe Crossing Gables West. He was born on September 3, 1929 in Clutier, Iowa to Henry and Emma (Cecak) Conrad. Don grew up in Clutier, attending country school and graduating from Toledo High School. On November 23, 1950 he was united in marriage to Beverly Dolge at the Catholic Church in Blairstown, Iowa. In October 1951, Don enlisted in the U.S. Army and service in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in July 1953 and returned to Blairstown where they began raising their family. Don worked for a time at Amana Refrigeration while in Iowa and in 1966 the family moved to Cambridge. Don began working for his uncle at Conrad's Floor Center and Beverly worked at Control Data. They would eventually purchase the flooring business and operate it together until 1978 when they sold the store. Don would go to work for Tower Systems in Cambridge and in 1991 they moved to Watertown, SD where Don continued with Tower Systems. One highlight while working with Tower Systems was when he was able to work with General Motors to promote their solar concept car, Sunraycer by traveling the United States showing the car to many people. Don was proud to say that he was able to visit and work in all of the states except Alaska. Don retired in the late 1990's and he and Bev returned to Cambridge and lived in Pine Village. Bev passed away in September 2006 and Don had been living at River Hills since 2005. Don was a member of the Cambridge Lutheran Church, the Cambridge Lions Club, Purple Hawk Country Club, volunteered with Meals on Wheels. He enjoyed golfing, watching football and especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren's sporting events. One fond memory the family has is the ritual of when Don would get home from work, kick off his boots, sit down in the chair in front of the TV with the remote, longhorn cheese, longneck beer, bag of radishes, bag of sour cream & onion potato chips and just relax. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Beverly, sisters Delores Boldt, and Kathy Conrad. Don is survived by his children Nicky and husband Ron Schafer of Watertown, SD, Todd Conrad of Phoenix, AZ, Candy Sandquist of Cambridge, Cam and wife Sue Conrad of Cambridge, five grandchildren Aaron (Todd) Smrekar, Corbin Sandquist (Troy Hirsch), Taylor Sandquist, Cameron Conrad Jr., and Joseph Conrad, three great grandchildren Addison Smrekar, Maci Hirsch and Finnleigh Smrekar, sister Darlus and husband Dennis Dunham of Arlington, VA, as well as numerous nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.