Anita Conroy

Anita Catherine (Sides) Conroy

Nov. 29, 1934 - Nov. 12, 2020

McCOOK, Neb. — Anita Catherine (Sides) Conroy, 85, passed away Nov. 12, 2020, at Hillcrest – a Caring Center in McCook.

She was born at her home in Bartley, Neb., on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 29, 1934, to Pearl (Rayer) and Melvin Sides. She was welcomed to this world by sister, Mildred, brother, Eldon and extended family who had planned to attend the Thanksgiving holiday at Pearl and Melvin’s. Her 6:20 a.m. birth welcomed the guests with the greatest gift of all, a new family member. According to Anita’s records, the meal went off without a hitch with a tiny, unannounced, additional guest who crashed the party.

Anita’s lifelong dream was to be a mom and a teacher.

Her dream of being a teacher was cultivated at a young age when she was often called in from her senior classes to teach the junior high students when they needed a substitute. This dream was modified when she met her future husband of 54 years, William (Bill) Martin Conroy, during her first year of college.

The couple met in Indianola and Bill admitted to creating reasons to go to Indianola in hopes of “accidental” meetings. He was her first “real” date. Playing cards with friends and going to movies in McCook were their favorite things to do together. Anita said she was “hooked” right away. And it must have been mutual. Bill and Anita met in February, were engaged in March and married June 2, 1953.

Anita’s legacy as a wife was her unwavering support of her husband over the years. Farm wife, Conroy and Sons Machine Shop, and ABC Log Furniture were Bill’s dreams that Anita cultivated with him. Bill was the first to give credit to Anita as she worked tirelessly in front of and behind the scenes so his dreams might be realized. Farming, businesses, caregiver to the end. A more loyal partner cannot be found.

Anita’s dream of being a mom was realized when her six children, Geri, Steve, Marty, Jim, Lisa and Mari Jo were born over a seven-year time span. She loved her kids and embraced the challenges of six kids under the age of seven with a farmer husband. In her words, “We had a lot of very special memories. Some good. A few bad. But life treated us well in so many ways with healthy kids and very few accidents and illnesses.” Bill and Anita raised their six kids on a farm near Bartley for 16 years before moving to the Republican Valley area. Their final home together was in McCook, where they lived out their remaining years together until Bill’s death in 2007.

Anita’s dream of being a mom was magnified when 32 grandchildren and great-grandchildren joined the family over the years.

And maybe, just maybe, her dream of being a teacher snuck itself right in the middle of being a mom. It just looked a little different.

Anita was the best at sending cards for every occasion, a sentiment her children did not take for granted (but they also did not carry on from her legacy). Anita was also the best at commemorating important events through the scrapbooks she kept and handed down.

Anita loved her family.

Her final message to her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids? “Keep up the good work. Have faith, love and help others.”

And her greatest life accomplishments in her words, “I was married for 54 years and I took care of Dad for his last few years. My kids are all good, decent citizens and family people. That’s the best a mom can hope for.”

Wife of a farmer

Mother of six, “I became a mom and I hope I was a good one. I wanted to be.”

Grandma and great-grandma to many.

Anita’s dream, “To be a teacher and a mom,” was certainly accomplished over the years. It just looked a little different than she envisioned.

She was a teacher with a better title. That title was Mom.

Well done, Anita.

Your dreams have served you well.

Anita was a member of St. Catherine’s Alter Society, St. Patrick’s Church, Extension Club, Republican Valley Mother’s Club, a poll worker and active member of her Indianola high school alumni association for many years.

Anita is survived by her six children, Geri and Bob Burns of McCook, Steve and Sharon Conroy of Indianola, Marty and Joyce Conroy of McCook, Jim and Kim Conroy of Papillion, Lisa and Craig Hendricks of Omaha and Mari Jo and Sean Mulligan of Lake Havasu City, Ariz. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Joan Sides of Indianola.

Anita was preceded in death by her parents, Pearl Thomas and Melvin Sides; brother, Eldon Sides of Indianola; sister and brother-in-law, Millie and Andy Waselus; and great-grand-daughter, Briella Faith Quaduor.

A Rosary was recited today, Nov. 17, 2020, at 10 a.m., at St. Patrick Catholic Church in McCook. Per family request, the casket will be closed.

Mass of Christian Burial followed at 10:30 a.m. with the Father Brian Wirth officiating. Interment was at St. Catherine Cemetery in Indianola.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left in her name to the Hillcrest Nursing Home Chapel Fund. Online condolences can be left at herrmannfh.com.

Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.