Obituary of Howard Eugene Conrad

Howard Eugene Conrad, 82, of Murtaugh, ID went to be with his Lord on Friday, June 28, 2013. Howard was born near Verona, Missouri, on Sept 9, 1930; the third child of Alonzo and Mable Conrad. He moved to Idaho with his family in 1939 and graduated from Kimberly High School in 1949. In 1951 Howard was drafted into the U. S. Army, assigned to Alison Air Force Base, Fairbanks, Alaska. While home on leave in February 1952, Howard married the love of his life, Mary Jane Hills, at the Kimberly Church of the Nazarene. Their friendship and love never ended and they were rarely apart, until Mary’s death in 2004. Howard’s greatest desire as a youngster was to be a farmer. In 1953 Howard and Mary returned from Alaska to begin that dream of farming. The learning and the work were always on Howard’s mind. Farming taught him how to set and achieve goals for the day, for the week or for his lifetime. As the goals were met and the years passed expansions were possible with cattle ranching, successful horse breeding and exhibiting, land purchases, water and irrigation system development and turning the barren sagebrush ground into lush productive farm ground. Howard planted and harvested 46 consecutive years of Idaho potato crops. Family was always the center of Howard’s life, always including them in farming operation. Mary managed the home and office, keeping the books and raising two daughters. Both Loretta and Julie helped their dad with farming activities. The girls learned much about livestock and horses from their dad. Both became accomplished horse women with their dad’s encouragement and support. There were evenings and weekends spent fishing and camping as a family at Magic Reservoir or in the South Hills while taking a break from farming duties. Investing and developing the full potential for an investment was a passion of Howard’s. As 15 year old Howard would visit the Twin Falls Livestock sale yard. He watched and learned from the sellers and the buyers. If he had a few dollars in his pocket he would purchase a pig or a calf from a rancher in the yard prior to the sale and run the animal thru the auction that same day making a small profit for himself. Those learning situations and opportunities to invest multiplied into having developed more than 6,000 acres of irrigated farm ground. There were so many interests in Howard’s life. As a high school student an inspiring teacher encouraged Howard to obtain his pilot’s license. From that time on Howard experienced many exhilarating and exciting flights, most for pleasure, but he did fly medical flights for those in need, including organ transplant recipients. Traveling was another great pleasure in Howard’s life. He and Mary traveled through the U.S. including Alaska and Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, Hong Kong, China, and the Philippines. Travel meant not only seeing and visiting new places, but eating the local foods and spending time with many close friends. Their travels also included the experience of meeting in person, three U.S. Presidents: President Reagan, President Ford, and President George H. W. Bush. Howard’s faith and participation in the church was always foremost in his life. He was a member of The Church of the Nazarene, attending the Kimberly and Twin Falls churches. Howard met his “sweetheart” at a church Fourth of July picnic. Howard and Mary gave much of their time, talents and resources to God and His church, teaching Sunday school, singing in The Sounds of Praise Gospel Quartet, serving on committees and helping in financing building programs and scholarship funds for future generations. In later years one of the joys and pleasure of Howard’s life was writing his life story, “Reflections.” In Howard’s own words: “The purpose in writing my life history is that it would influence and touch someone, and their lives would be influenced by my life experiences. …. God has made each one of us for a purpose and He will give us knowledge and wisdom to develop that which He has given us. I am one who has had no formal education, but I had on-the job-training, as every day I tried to learn something better than the way I did it yesterday. It was through determination that I was successful and lived a life of outstanding accomplishments. If I can do it, you can do it.” Our family would like to thank all those at Bridgeview who took such good care of Dad in the last three years of his life. Your patience and loving care are recognized true gift. We would also like to thank Hospice VISIONS for their gentle care the last couple of weeks. Howard is survived by his daughter, Julie (Roger) Sievers of Murtaugh; grandson Curtis (Jackie) Mai and their children, Carson, Josie, and Ella all of Hazelton; sisters Irene Ferguson, Betty McRoberts and Ruth (Loyd) Bakewell, and brother Gerry (Joann) Conrad. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, daughter, Loretta Mai, grandson, Scot Mai, his parents, two brothers, John and Raymond. Funeral service for Howard will be held 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 3, 2013 at Twin Falls First Church of the Nazarene, 1231 Washington St. N., with Rev. David Mowry officiating. Interment will follow in Hazelton Cemetery. Family suggests donations may be made to the Building Fund at the Twin Falls Church of the Nazarene. Family and friends are encouraged to share their memories at www.rosenaufuneral.com