Frances M. Conrad

Frances M. Conrad, 87 of Ponca, NE passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2020 surrounded by her family at Regency Square Care Center in South Sioux City. A funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 2, 2020 at Mohr & Becker-Hunt Chapel in South Sioux City. Burial will be at Ponca City Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Sunday, March 1, 2020 at the funeral home. Online condolences may be directed to www.meyerbroschapels.com

Frances was born on September 8, 1932 to William and Josephine (Starzl) Harder. She married Donald Conrad on April 20, 1951. To this union five boys and three girls were born. Don passed away in 1969, and Frances did an amazing job of raising all of these children alone, along with having a hand in raising many others. Her door was always open.

She worked multiple jobs in her younger years and did housekeeping for many years at the ASCS Office and Elms Health Care Center in Ponca.

She was a very independent, talented lady who made beautiful cakes, porcelain dolls, and sewed the fanciest dresses and outfits for them and her children. She could crochet and knit anything you asked her to, all without a pattern.

She loved Pekingese and was known by her great-grandkids as Grandma Meeka, after her favorite dog. She always had a dog on her lap as she took her daily rides. She loved to shop, gamble and go out to eat, and was always keeping tabs on her grandkids. She loved her cars and it was known, when you got a new car you were expected to show her first and take her for a ride. She would always say to us, “Easy riding, rough sliding!” Then as we dropped her off, “Thanks for the buggy ride!”

Survivors include her five sons: Billy Jo (Diane), Pat (Kim), Brad (Carol), Monte (Diane), and Kiel Conrad; two daughters: Lynelle (Brad) Krohn and Kandis Conrad; son-in-law, Ron Perrin; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; a sister, Helen Ann (Butch) Hall; her special friend, Helen (Randy) Miller; and the cutest dog in town, Myla.

Frances is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Don; her daughter, Sherry Hughes-Perrin; son-in-law, Randy Hughes; a brother, Tommy Harder; and her beloved dog, Meeka.