Ernest Conrad

Ernest Conrad, 74, of New London, IA, died Wednesday, July 1, 2009, at the Henry County Health Center. A private service will be held. There will be no visitation. The Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel of Mt. Pleasant is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorials have been established to the donor's choice and may be sent to the Ernest Conrad Family, % Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel, P.O. Box 656, Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641. The son of Bernard and Leona Sanders Conrad, Ernest Edward was born on October 25, 1934, in Keota, IA. His family moved to the St. Paul, IA area when he was a youngster. Ernie was a graduate of St. James High School in St. Paul. Following high school, he joined the United States Navy and obtained the skills that enabled him to become a part of the IBM Corporation. On July 8, 1961, Ernest married Nancy Ann Farquharson in Gerard, PA. She survives. Ernie had a great love for his family. His ability to be creative and a problem solver allowed him to excel while working at IBM. He could take anything and make something useful from it. Ernie received several science and engineering awards throughout his career. In 1965, he was presented an award for inventing a method of forming a glass film on an object. A First Invention Achievement Award and a Corporate Invention Award were presented to Ernie in 1966. 1971 earned him a Second Invention Achievement Award. Ernie was recognized in Who's Who in Science and Engineering in 1998. Along with his wife, Nancy, Ernie is survived by one daughter, Susan (Dave) Martin of Burnsville, MN; four sons, Tim (Karen) Conrad of Mt. Pleasant, IA, Stephen (Julie) Conrad of Yarmouth, IA, Joseph (Rosalind) Conrad of Iowa City, IA, and Donald (Kari) Conrad of Arlington, TN; six brothers, Ray (Justine) Conrad , Victor Conrad, Linus (Sue) Conrad, Paul (Kaye) Conrad, David (Mary) Conrad, and Tony (Bobbie) Conrad; and three sisters, Connie (Carl) Menke, Bernadine (Mark) Kruse, and Karen Derksen. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Emma and Olivia Martin, and Joshua, Amelia, Ethan, Nicholas, Elania, and Sarah Conrad, along with one sister-in-law, Connie Conrad. Mr. Conrad was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Patricia Conrad; and two brothers, James Conrad and Carl Conrad.