Merna M. Conley

A Graveside Service for Merna was held on Friday, June 21, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at Geneva Public Cemetery in Geneva, Nebraska. Pastor Tim Bullock presided over the Graveside Service. The recorded selection "Unforgettable" was played at the conclusion of the Graveside. Memorials are suggested to the Geneva Senior Center. Merna Mae Grossman was born November 24, 1927, in Cowles, Nebraska, to Ralph Wilbur and Nancy Mabel (Thomas) Grossman, along with her twin sister Verna, each weighing in at approximately 3 pounds. Twins were a surprise to everyone except their mother, but older siblings were pleased to help with the care of the tiny babies. At 3 months of age, she moved with her family to nearby Red Cloud, Nebraska, where her father worked for the State Department of Roads as a maintainer driver. In April of 1939, Merna and her twin sister developed Scarlet Fever, from which her twin passed away at the age of 11 years. Merna recovered and continued at Red Cloud Elementary School through 5th grade when, in the summer of 1939, they moved to Lockwood, Missouri, for her father’s employment. She attended junior high and part of 9th grade in Lockwood and then the family returned to Red Cloud where, in 1946, Merna graduated from Red Cloud High School. During high school, she worked at Sid’s Cafe and the local grocery store and, after graduation, she worked in the office at the telephone company. In September of 1947, while visiting her sister in Aurora, Illinois, Merna was introduced to her sister's best friend's brother, World War II veteran Carl Conley. Carl moved to Red Cloud in early 1948 and he and Merna were married on July 10, 1948. They lived in Red Cloud until February 1949 when they moved to Hebron, Nebraska, where they survived the 1953 Mother's Day tornado. Merna worked in the local “dime store” as a secretary and clerk, and frequently helped out at Hebron Floral, which was owned by dear family friends. In February 1954, she moved with Carl and their first two children to Geneva, Nebraska. Merna worked as an Avon representative and then as an agent for the Lincoln Journal Star. In 1957 they moved into the house Carl built and Merna had their 3rd child in 1961. In 1963, Merna began work at Geneva Elementary School as a teachers’ aide, along with playground and lunchroom duty, and later as a library aide. She loved her work. After 30 years, Merna retired from Geneva Public Schools in 1993. She soon began working part-time at the Geneva Public Library and retired for good in 2000. Merna loved children and was fondly remembered from her years at the elementary school by former students for many years. In the early 1970s, Merna and three friends began a successful quest to ride their kids' old bicycles to every town in Fillmore County, which was covered in the Nebraska Signal newspaper. Merna was active as a member of the United Methodist Church for over 60 years, including circle, extension, and other groups. She was involved in the VFW auxiliary, multiple bridge clubs, birthday clubs, and book clubs, and was a volunteer with the local immunization clinic. Merna was a life-long learner, curious about the world, an avid reader, a traveler, and loved meeting people and hearing their stories. She was kind, nurturing, smart, cared intensely for her children, grandchildren, and friends, and she made the best pies. Her many friends were an important and cherished part of her life. She was proud of her family's history in Nebraska, including her grandfather, Lorenzo Dow Thomas, who helped establish Webster County. In 2016, following the death of her beloved husband, Merna moved to assisted living in Geneva, where she worked hard to stay healthy and happy, and continued to live her life. In 2022, she moved to Cathy and Paul’s home in Lincoln, where she enjoyed spending time on the bike trail, visiting nearby lakes, watching Nebraska sports and old movies, taking drives, and lounging on the deck. She passed away peacefully in her adopted home on June 12, 2024. Merna was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Carl Conley; her parents; all of her five siblings: Veona, Mildred, Lela, Ralph Thomas, and twin sister Verna. She is survived by her three children and families: Craig and Jean from Washington State, Carol and Steve from Lincoln, and Cathy and Paul from Lincoln; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; foreign exchange student Birgit Zoerner from Dortmund, Germany; nieces and nephews.

Tributes

Merna M. Conley

November 24, 1927 - June 12, 2024