Leonard "Bud" C. Conrad, age 84 of Yankton passed away on Sunday, July 31, 2011 at Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton, SD. A Celebration of Life will begin at 2 PM, Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at the Ernest Bowyer VFW Post #791, Yankton. Pastor Rod Veldhuizen will speak at 3 PM with a lunch to be served during the service. Honorary pallbearers will be Ernest Bowyer VFW Post #791 Honor Guard and all the members of the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791. Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton is in charge of the arrangements.
Leonard "Bud" Conrad was born March 28, 1927 in Hassen Valley, MN to William and Elsie (Rahier) Conrad. His mother died while in child birth and he was then raised by his mother's nurse, Inez Russell. He attended Glencoe Public School and in March 1945 he joined the United States Navy. He served 1.5 years in WWII and was honorably discharged in July 1946. He was a member of the Seebees. After his discharge, he moved to Wilmar, MN where he met and married Orpha Jean Stromert on April 10, 1951 at Sacred Heart, MN. To this union six children were born. Bud worked for the railroad and Russell Nursing Home in Minnesota. They moved to Yankton in August 1953, where he worked for Morgen Manufacturing for 28 years. He then worked a variety of jobs including Harvey Hanson Gas Station, Yankton Ballpark, Fantles, Vishay Dale, and the Presbyterian Church.
He was a lifetime member of the Ernest Bowyer VFW Post 791, Moose, American Legion and Senior Citizens Center. He served as Grand Commander of the Military Order of Cooties from 2004 to 2005. He also participated in the 1st SD Honor Flight trip to Washington D. C. in May of 2009 to visit the WWII monument. It was an honor for him to have served his country. He volunteered his time to the VA by driving the VA Van to transport veterans to and from the VA Hospital in Sioux Falls where he enjoyed participating in activities. Bud was known for his convertible Cadillac in which he drove the VFW Auxiliary for River Boat Days. His enjoyment in life was to travel once a year with his family all over the United States, Canada and Alaska. He always made sure his children got to see every capitol of each state they visited and saw many historical sites and amusement parks. For many years he enjoyed bowling in which he also traveled out of state to participate in tournaments.
Bud had a sense of humor. He could always bring a smile to your face. No matter what the situation, Bud would always find the humor and share that with family and friends.
He is survived by his children: Lynn Conrad of Yankton, SD, Laurie (Matt) Hawkes of Poulsbo, WA, Lucy (Arnold) Boschker of Yankton, SD, Luanne (Steve) Matusky of Virginia Beach, VA, Lee (Darla) Conrad of Yankton, SD and Lisa (Pete) Mueller of Yankton, SD; sister: Geraldine McMahon of Lisbon, ND and several nieces and nephews from ND and MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Jean, brothers: Harry and Kenny.
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