Caroline E. Conkey

SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. |   Caroline Conkey, 70, of South Sioux City, formally of Sioux City, was welcomed home to Heaven on Friday, December 4, 2015.

Visitation will be held at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel Wednesday, December 9, 2015 from 4:00-8:00 p.m., with family present from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. A prayer service will begin at 7:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, December 10, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Morningside Assembly of God followed by a luncheon. Burial Services will be at Logan Park Cemetery.

Caroline was born in St. Paul, MN on July 30, 1945 to Frank and Annabelle Barnick. The family later moved to Sioux City, IA where Caroline graduated from Central High School in 1964. Throughout high school she worked at Green Gables Restaurant. Caroline also attended Wayne State College and IBM School in Kansas City where she graduated with a computer degree. Caroline went on to work for National Foods. 

Caroline married her high school sweetheart, Frank G. Conkey on March 12, 1966. The couple then relocated to San Diego, CA where Frank was stationed in the U.S. Navy. During that time, Caroline worked for San Diego Glass and Paint Co. After moving back to Sioux City, IA, Caroline worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield. Caroline's vocation gradually transitioned into a full-time wife, mother of four and dedicated home maker.  

Caroline enjoyed baking, flower gardening, volunteering as well as singing in the choir at the First United Methodist Church. She was passionate about the education of children and served numerous years in the local and state PTA and served as a Director on the Sioux City Community School District Board of Education. Caroline also enjoyed the sisterhood of PEO and volunteered for many of her children's activities, such as Girl Scouts and Mariners Swim Club.

Caroline contributed to the family business providing bookkeeping and administrative support for Conkey Electric.  Later in her life she re-connected with her alma mater and wrote grants to help Central High School maintain its historical mark in the community. Caroline volunteered with the Castle on the Hill Association and served as President from 2003 to 2012 after which she maintained her role as an active board member. She also shared her heartfelt values for our nation's Christian heritage with her family and as a regular contributor to editorials in the Sioux City Journal.  

She was a loving mother and proud that her four kids took hold of her education values by each graduating from Iowa State University. Caroline loved her eight grandchildren and was delighted to talk about them during lunch and movie dates with friends. She enjoyed the companionship of her dog Cooper, a Hungarian Vizsla who made her laugh and smile. Caroline was also a horse enthusiast, owning horses throughout much of her life. In her free time she enjoyed spending time with Frank, traveling to visit their children, taking rides along the countryside, remodeling their home and making their lawn and flower gardens beautiful.  

Caroline had a positive and fun-loving spirit, giving hope and encouragement to all those around her. She was a woman of strong faith, believing in the power and strength of Jesus Christ’s love and the beauty and peace that would await her in Heaven.

Those left to honor her memory include, her husband of nearly fifty years, Frank; children, Michelle Conkey-Sajban (John) of Lafayette, CO, Becky Kueny (Paul) of Prosper, TX, Jodi Reinke (Chad) of Ankeny, IA and Ben Conkey (Tessie) of Elkhorn, NE; grandchildren, Tyler Kueny (Becky), Kate Minnihan (Michelle), Megan and Nathan Reinke (Jodi), Austin, Savannah, Hunter and Ellorie Conkey (Ben) and brothers, Bud Barnick (Penny) of Fort Worth, TX and Bill Barnick of Poway, CA. 

Caroline was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Annabelle Barnick and brother Hubert Barnick.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for designation at a later time. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.meyerbroschapels.com.