COUNCIL #945 - OWATONNA REMEMBERS
FRANK (FRANCIS) EDWARD CONLEY

 

Frank (Francis) Edward Conley Jr., of Owatonna, MN, died Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at his home following a courageous battle with cancer. He was 69.
Frank was born on June 21, 1942 to Francis and Irene (Bauer) Conley. He was raised in Carroll, Iowa with his parents and four sisters. After graduating from Kuemper Catholic High school in 1960 he served as a United States Air Force radar technician at Cottonwood A.F.S. until 1964. Frank also studied computer science at the University of St. Thomas and the University of Minnesota.
On November 13, 1965, he was united in marriage to Mary Walden at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Carroll, Iowa. Together they started their family in Minnesota. Frank was employed as a software development engineer at Unisys (Univac), Honeywell, and Control Data. In 1987, Frank and his family moved to Owatonna, MN, where he started his software development company, Software Science Corp.
Frank was a faithful member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and in 1999, became very active in the Knights of Columbus. He was named the 2004 KC Knight of the Year and served as Grand Knight of Council 945 from 2000-2002. Frank worked on The Key, the KC newsletter, re-establishing the KC Chorus, and acting as the Faithful Navigator of the Monsignor Henry Speck Fourth Degree Assembly. In addition to his work with the Knights, Frank also enjoyed music, gardening, bird watching, technology and spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He will always be remembered for his smile, laughter, kindness, sense of humor, and positive attitude.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years and the love of his life, Mary (Walden) Conley of Owatonna; his five children, Pat ( Barb) Conley of Mankato, Cindy Conley (Elliott Graham) of Madison, WI, Ed (Emily) Conley of St. Paul, Brad Conley of Minneapolis, and Kelley (Nate) Reiter of Minneapolis; his 10 grandchildren, Rachel and Logan Conley, Joseph, James, John, and Mary Conley, and Wes, Owen, Liam and Lily Reiter; his sisters, Charlotte (George) Walden of Garden Plain, KS, and Patricia Conley of Des Moines, IA; and many other relatives and friends who were dear to his heart.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father; his sisters, Christine Conley and Mary Jo Madden; and brother-in-law, Timothy Madden.
Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 10:00 AM Monday, April 9, 2012 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Owatonna, MN, with the Rev. Edward McGrath officiating. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery with military honors provided by the Steele County Funeral Unit. Friends may greet the family on Sunday, April 8, 2012 from 4:00-7:30 PM at Brick-Meger Funeral Home (1603 Austin Road, Owatonna) and one hour before the funeral liturgy at the church on Monday. There will be a Knights of Columbus Rosary recited at 7:00 pm Sunday at the funeral home