Donald Robert Conroy

Donald Conroy, age 100, of Wheaton, Minnesota passed away Sunday, June 11, 2023 at the Traverse Care Center in Wheaton.

A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, July 13, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Ave Maria Catholic Church in Wheaton with Fr. John Paul Knopik and Fr. Stanley Wieser officiating.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 12th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Prayer Service at Ave Maria Catholic Church in Wheaton. Visitation will continue Thursday morning one hour prior to service time at the church.

Burial will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton. Military Rites will be provided by the Merton Dale American Legion Post #80.

Donald Robert Conroy was born in Graceville, Minnesota on March 3, 1923.  He was the third of four children born to Dan and Clara (Schmidt) Conroy.  Don grew up in Collis and attended St. Mary’s Academy in Graceville through high school.  Don enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during World War II.  A year after returning from military service in Europe, Don married Florence “Babe” Murphy on November 15, 1947, at Holy Rosary Church in Graceville.  Don and Babe lived on a farm west of Dumont where they raised six children.  After 33 years on the farm, they moved to Wheaton in 1980 and retired in 1990.  Don and Babe were married for 67 wonderful years until Babe passed away in December of 2014.

In the mid 1940’s, Don’s father, Dan formed a partnership for a farming and road construction business with his sons, James and Don, and with daughter Clara (Conroy) Honzo keeping the books.  With the passing of both Dan and James in 1966, Don continued to manage the businesses until his retirement.  Don loved the land and the work required to produce an annual crop.  With great joy he remained involved in planting and harvesting well into his 80’s.

Don was active in the church, a member of the American Legion, Association of General Contractors (AGC), National Farmers Organization (NFO), and a Board member of ASCS, and Dumont Co-op Elevator.  In his younger years he played catcher for the Dumont baseball team (predecessor to the Dumont Saints) and was also part of the community committee that planned and built the Wheaton swimming pool.  Don enjoyed playing golf, cards, and spending time with his family and friends.  Don never met a stranger; he loved life and was dedicated to his faith, family, community, and country.   

Don passed away at the Traverse County Care Center on June 11, 2023.

He is survived by children, Diana Martenson of Shoreview, MN; Bruce (Joann) Conroy of Dumont, MN; Jane (Tom) Gau of Maple Grove, MN; Chris (Paul) Cherwien of Minnetonka, MN; Marla Conroy (Stuart Johnson) of Shoreview, MN; and D.J. (Katie) Conroy of Marietta, GA along with sixteen grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren and his nieces and nephews.

Don is preceded in death by his parents Dan and Clara (Schmidt) Conroy; his wife, Babe; two brothers, James and Ralph Conroy; one sister, Clara Marie Honzo; and son-in-law, Richard Martenson.