Joseph W. Conlan (1941-2019)

CONLAN, ALT, KRESS

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 1/3/2019 at 23:46:20

Joseph W. "Joe" Conlan, 77, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and formerly of Bernard, Iowa passed away on Tuesday, January 1, 2019, at Saint Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, January 5, 2019 at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seaton Church in Hiawatha, Iowa, with Very Rev Mark Ressler officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at the Church. Burial will be at 3:00 p.m. Saturday at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Dubuque with full military honors accorded by the Cascade American Legion Post #528. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road, Dubuque is in charge of arrangements.

Joe was born on March 4, 1941 in Dubuque, the son of Orville and Lucille (Kress) Conlan. He graduated high school from Saint Patrick School, North Garryowen, and attended Loras College in Dubuque. He served in the U.S. Army from 1963 to 1966 and was stationed in Vietnam for one year. He was a proud participant in an Honor Flight to Washington DC in May 2018.

Joe owned and operated the Twelve Mile House Supper Club in Bernard for many years. He also worked as an insurance adjuster and a realtor for Goodman Insurance and Reality in Dubuque before moving to Cedar Rapids. In Cedar Rapids, he continued his passion for real estate and land development, working for Iowa Realty until his retirement.

He married Gail Alt on April 26, 2003, and they were happily married for 15 years. They took many trips around the United States and twice to Europe. Gail was the love of his life.

Joe enjoyed bowling, going to stock car races, and golf, especially in his later years. He also looked forward to celebrating St. Patrick's Day since he was proud of his Irish roots.

He was an advocate for the underprivileged, and he supported Camp Courageous and Albrecht Acres for many years. Joe was a faithful Catholic and a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church.

He is survived by his wife, Gail; step-children, Ed (Sandi) Alt and Mark (Kristen) Alt; three step grandchildren, Mikaela (Michael) Henson, Ashley Alt and Kelly Alt; siblings: Sister Mary Patricia Conlan, RSM, of Dubuque, Frank (Darlene) Conlan, of Bernard, Ed Conlan, of Dubuque, Mary (Roger) Konrardy, of Dubuque, Doris (Allan) Sauser, of Cascade, Dan (Barb) Conlan, of Key West. He was also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins especially Jean Church, Cheryl Valenta and Barb Dye.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister Grace (Conlan) Gassman and his in-laws, Bertil and Helen Anderson.