Clarksdale, Missouri….Wyona “Winnie” Viola (Esaias) Conrad, left this world to be with the Father, September 27, 2023, at 9:00 p.m. Winnie was born January 29, 1929, in Yorktown, Iowa, to Viola Mae and Emmit Roy Esaias, the third of five children. Winnie had two older sisters, Chrystal and Deloris, a younger sister, Neva, and younger brother, Norman, all of whom preceded Winnie in death.
Winnie grew up in Iowa, married Joseph Earl Conrad, moved to Wyoming then Colorado with their two children, Cynthia and Ronnie. In 1954, Winnie and family moved to a cattle ranch in Clarksdale, MO., for many years before retiring to Clarksdale for the remainder of her 94.5 years. She leaves behind two daughters, Cynthia Kay Powers and Renee Darlene Watson-Brockway; seven grandchildren, Wendy, Justin, Jess, Andrew, Andrea, David, and Krista; and 11 great-grandchildren. Husband Joe and son Ron preceded her in death.
In Winnie’s younger years she worked on a turkey farm removing the feathers and quills, then as a tailor for a dry-cleaning company, and finally a sales associate at J.C. Penney’s in St. Joseph from where she retired. Winnie loved volunteering for Dekalb County election polls. She was an avid seamstress sewing many clothes for family and friends. She was most proud of the green drapes she designed that hung in the Clarksdale Methodist Church.
Winnie’s hobby’s included gardening, sewing, crocheting, quilting; much of which included embroidery, making noodles, cinnamon rolls, and baked goods. She enjoyed music and would sometimes play her father’s concertina when family or friends visited. She would often reminisce about times growing up with her siblings; being chased by a cow only to jump into a barrel which was then pushed down a hill, the siblings thought she was dead. Another time she was playing on a wagon which was also pushed down a hill only to end up in a pond. Winnie became terrified of water after that. She milked cows, raised chickens, and played in the hayloft while spending time with family. Winnie was very witty and full of life. Her laugh and smile will be sorely missed.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 5, 2023, at Turner Family Funeral Home in Maysville, Missouri, with burial immediately following at Memorial Park Cemetery in St. Joseph, MO. Family will receive friends from 5:00 ~ 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at the funeral home.
