Alice Conway
Alice Conway, 94, of Wexford died Tuesday, June 17, 2014 at Gundersen Health Systems, La Crosse, WI. Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, June 23 at Wexford-Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with the Rev. John Moser as celebrant. Burial followed in the Wexford-Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery.
Alice was born March 9, 1920 in Harpers Ferry to Joseph and Ellen (Cota) Kernan. She attended country school through the eighth grade and graduated from Waukon High School with the Class of 1937.
Alice taught country school for a few years until her marriage of 50 years to Hugh Conway June 12, 1940 at Wexford-Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Twelve children were born to this union. Alice worked alongside Hugh on the farm where they raised their children. She enjoyed nurturing her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, resulting in her being nominated as Mother of the Year for the State of Iowa in 1979; cooking, being known specifically for her baked bread, buns, cinnamon rolls, fried bread and roast beef; and gardening, canning and storing produce in the vegetable bin. In later years she enjoyed watching her favorite television shows, sorting her collection of clothes and paper items. She most enjoyed visits from her family, friends and neighbors. Alice was also involved in community organizations such as Farm Bureau and 4-H.
Faith was extremely important to Alice, who had a passion for spreading the word of God, which showed with her being involved with ACCW and being CCD Director for many, many years plus being active in all of the parish activities. As a member of Immaculate Conception Wexford her philosophy of “A Family that Prays Together Stays Together” was shown in her example and everyday living.
Survivors include nine children, James Conway of Lansing, Mary (John) O’Neill of Harpers Ferry, Daniel Conway of Lansing, Ellen (Bob) Zwirlein of Monona, Hugh (Svetlana) Conway of McAllen, TX, Michael (Jeannie) Conway of Waukon, Rosalie (Don) Ripperger of Lacona, John Conway of Harpers Ferry and Raymond (Diane) Conway of Polk City; two daughters-in-law, Penny and Sally Conway; 41 grandchildren; 68 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Francis (Leonette) Kernan of Lansing.
Alice was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh Conway, June 26, 1990; her parents, Joseph and Ellen (Cota) Kernan; three sons, Joseph, Leo and Patrick Conway; two daughters-in-law, Sonja and Josephine Conway; two grandchildren, Jamie and Brian; and six siblings, Marcella McGuire, Marguerite Schulte, Sr. Cyrilla Kernan, Genevieve Mohn, Leo Kernan and Gerald Kernan.
Condolences may be left at www.graufuneralhomes.com. Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Lansing assisted the family with arrangements.
