Conlee, Darrell L. 1932-2014

CONLEE, SHOUSE, JOHNSON

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 11/6/2014 at 11:13:02

LeMars Daily Sentinel
Wednesday, October 15, 2014

At age 82, while still living at home, Darrell Lee Conlee, of Tucson, Ariz., went to be with his Lord on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014.

Darrell was born April 30, 1932, to Halma and Mary (Shouse) Conlee in Montrose. He grew up and attended school in Montrose, graduating in 1949. After graduation, he went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad.

In spring of 1951, Darrell enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed in New York, California and Alaska. While in Alaska, he ran the radio station for Armed Forces Radio for 18 months.

In September 1954 his father was severely injured by a drunk driver. Darrell received emergency leave to see his father. While he was at home, he met Marilyn Jean Johnson, of Liscomb, on a blind date through mutual friends.

Darrell was honorably discharged in the spring of 1955 so he could go back to work for the Santa Fe Railroad to support his mother and sister.

Darrell and Marilyn were married Oct. 30, 1955, with his father in attendance. They lived in Chillicothe, Ill.

In the spring of 1956, Darrell went to work for Wayne Feeds. The family lived in Newton, Sigourney and Remsen, before making their home in Le Mars in the spring of 1961.

Darrell was involved with several committees throughout the community and served on many boards of the First Baptist Church.

Darrell went to work for K-Products as a sales manager in the fall of 1978, moving to Orange City in July 1979.

After taking a job with Vigartone Feed in the fall of 1983, Darrell and Marilyn moved in 1984, living in Missouri, Florida and Oklahoma, but finally settled in Tucson, Ariz., in April 1990.

Some of Darrell's favorite activities included working on a food committee through the Sabino Road Baptist Church which fed the homeless on Thanksgiving and helping Caring Industries. He especially enjoyed helping people get through the red tape to get help through the Veterans Administration.

After being diagnosed with IBM Myositis in 1994, Darrell formed a myositis group that still meets monthly.

His survivors include his wife, Marilyn; a son, Dr. Nathan Conlee, of Tucson, a daughter Doris (Eric) Ropte, of Le Mars, a son, Brian (Karen Nilles) Conlee, of

Tucson, and a son, Lance Conlee, of Tucson; grandchildren; Dillon (Chelsea) Conlee, of Tucson, Caitlin Conlee and Tessa Conlee, of Venice Beach, Calif., Eben Groetken, of Le Mars, Charmelle Ropte, of Le Mars, Gilead (Melody) Ropte, of Le Mars, Christian Conlee, of Tucson, and Delaney Damon, of Greeley, Colo.; six great-grandsons and six great-granddaughters; and a sister, Twyla (Lyle) Talbert, of Ottumwa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Halma and Mary; many aunts and uncles; his brother, Walter; a daughter, Mary Jean Conlee, and a grandson, Benjamin Groetken.

Funeral services will be Saturday, Oct. 25, at 10 a.m. at the Sabino Road Baptist Church, in Tucson.