John “David” Conrad, 81, of Ogallala passed away January 27, 2015, at the Sutherland Care Center. He was born September 8, 1933, in rural Chase County to John and Anna (Ourada) Conrad. He grew up living in a sod house on a farm outside of Brandon, Nebraska. In 1951, he graduated from Perkins County High school. On March 4, 1956, he married Merlene Peters in Ogallala, Nebraska. Shortly after their marriage, he was drafted into the United States Army, where he served eighteen months working as an MP on the de-militarized Zone in the Korean War. Upon his return to the United States, he and Merlene made their home in Ogallala, where he went to work for his father-in-law, Merle Peters, in the construction business. In 1963 they moved from the town of Ogallala to an acreage in rural Keith County where they built their own home. David and Merlene owned and operated D&M Plumbing for many years. David also delivered and set up center irrigation pivots for many years. In 1984, David went to work for the federal government doing animal damage control, where he worked until his retirement. David was an avid hunter in his younger days and loved the outdoors. David was very mechanically inclined, and enjoyed working on any project that would challenge his abilities. He spent many hours in his large shop working on one or more of his various projects. He was well known for his problem solving skills when it came to fixing things. If the right tool or part wasn’t available, or didn’t exist, David would make it himself. In his later years one of his greatest joys was fixing and restoring antique Twin City and Minneapolis Moline tractors. He loved to show off his restorations and enjoyed competing in various tractor pulls around the area. David will always be remembered as a very hard working, kind, and generous person. He was always ready to lend a helping hand to a friend in need.
Survivors include his son Michael Conrad of Dallas, TX; daughter Jennifer (Husband Mark) Maseberg of North Platte, NE; son Steven (Wife Susan) Conrad of North Platte, NE; and two grandsons Hunter Maseberg and Noah Maseberg both of North Platte.
David was preceded in death by his parents, John and Anna Conrad; his wife of 44 years, Merlene; his sisters, Betty Conrad and Joann Lentz; one son, James Douglas Conrad; and his granddaughter, Madison Faith Conrad.
Memorials may be made in David’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Cremation was chosen and Memorial Services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 14, 2015 MT at Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala. Inurnment with military honors will follow at the Ogallala Cemetery. Those wishing to sign his register book may do so Monday, April 13, 2015 at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala or at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home in North Platte from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at either location.