A Memorial Service for Lyle Kenneth “Kenny” Conroy was held at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17 at the Hastings Funeral Home in Jefferson. The Rev. John Gerald of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church officiated the service. Kenny’s granddaughter Sarah Olsen played two songs on the violin. Private family burial with Military Rites provided by the U.S. Navy took place at the St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
Lyle Kenneth Conroy, son of Phillip Lyle Conroy and Edythe Frances Bauman Conroy, was born July 27, 1934, in Jefferson, Iowa, and died Oct. 10, 2021, at the Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson, Iowa.
Kenny, as he liked to be called, lived in Jefferson his whole life. He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1951 and then he joined the U.S. Navy Reserves.
On Dec. 29, 1955, Kenny married the love of his life, Ramona Ann Nerhus. The couple was blessed with six children: Cindy, Dan, Kathy, Joan, Mary and Teresa.
Kenny was a hard-working man who took on several jobs throughout his life. He worked at the Ford dealership in Jefferson, trained as a carpenter with Walter Knole, farmed row crop and dairy herd, had a feed business with Jerry Vincent, worked for Amoco/Standard Oil (which became Conroy Oil) and custom sprayed until 1978.
Kenny was a school bus driver for 17 years and got the nickname “Hot Dog.”
He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Jefferson and a lifelong blood donor.
Kenny enjoyed woodworking, slow pitch softball and roller skating.
He loved his Holstein cows and being a member of the Jefferson Fire Department for over 25 years, but he loved visiting with his kids and grandkids even more.
Kenny eventually retired to pursue his love of woodworking, making many items, including furniture.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lyle and Edythe; his wife of 61 years, Ramona; brother-in-law, Valdon Nerhus, and wife, Kay Nerhus; and nephew, Terry Nerhus.
Kenny is survived by his children, Cindy Conroy of rural Earlham, Dan Conroy of Jefferson, Kathy (Brian) Lage of Manning, Joan (Kurt) Olsen of Pillager, Minnesota, Mary (Bill) Boyett of Kingman, Arizona, and Teresa Bleifus of Murrieta, California; nine grandchildren, David (Kate) Conroy, Christine Conroy, Ashley (Matt) Linquist, Eric Lage, Andrew Olsen, Sarah Olsen, Caleb Boyett, Will Boyett and Noah Bleifus; five great-grandchildren, Xander Conroy, Evelyn Conroy, Laken Johnson, Lilyanna Abbrescia and Kyler Linquist, with another great-grandchild due in November; brother, Keith (Joan) Conroy of Jefferson; sister-in-law, Annrose (Brant) Peterson of Dakota City, Iowa; nieces; nephews; other relatives; and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Jefferson Fire Department. Donation may also be sent to Hastings Funeral Home, 1417 Second St., P.O. Box 204, Perry, IA 50220.
