CONRAD, Wendell Wesley "Ike" 1916-2018

CONRAD, ABBE, HILDEBRAND

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 3/18/2018 at 12:42:12

Wendell Wesley ‘Ike’ Conrad

Wendell Wesley ‘Ike’ Conrad was born on August 1, 1916 to William and Lillian (Hildebrand) Conrad in Gladbrook, Iowa. He was raised in Gladbrook and graduated from Gladbrook High School. Ike was a World War II Army Veteran who served in India with the US Army Railroad Battalion.

Ike married the love of his life Alyce Eileen Abbe on May 20, 1946 and the two spent 46 wonderful years together. Ike had two sons (Rodney and Michael) with his wife Eileen who he always referred to as “Gods gift and guiding light to him.”

Ike retired after 42 years from the Chicago Northwestern Railroad (formally the Chicago Great Western Railroad). He spent the majority of those 42 years as a Depot Agent in Cedar Falls and Waterloo.

If you ever spent any time with Ike you likely heard a few good stories from his early railroading days while in the jungles of India or the various Iowa stations he worked. Ike absolutely loved to play golf and, when possible, he liked to go to the Lake of the Woods on the Canadian border to fish. Ike holds bragging rites to catching a 37 pound 48 inch Muskie while fishing the Lake of the Woods and two Hole-in-Ones while golfing, the second, at Gates Park when he was 90 years old. Ike was a loyal long time member of the Masonic Lodge, El Kahir Shriners, American Legion, AMVETS, Elks Club, Transportation Communications International Union.

Wendell Wesley ‘Ike’ Conrad died on Monday, March 5, 2018 at Casa De La Luz Hospice Home in Tucson, Arizona at the age of 101.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and one great grandchild. Ike is survived by his two sons, Rodney (Judith) Conrad of Windermere, Florida, and Michael (Carol) Conrad of Tucson, Arizona; four grandchildren: Susan Clark, Sarah Reuter, Mark Conrad, and Christopher Conrad; five great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

SOURCE: Parrott & Wood funeral home website