Kathleen Gayle Conkey

ELKHART-Kathleen Gayle Conkey, 68, passed away on Saturday, December 2nd 2017. Kathleen was born on August 3rd, 1949, in Yankton South Dakota, the daughter of Elliott & Shirley Johnson. She grew up in Chico, California with her sisters Jerene G. Tinnel and Victoria J. Hall. Graduated from Chico high School 1968 and attended Butte College and Chico State University, where she earned her Fashion Design degree. She was a single-mother raising two beautiful daughters as she attended college. She is survived by her Husband, William. Daughters Lara Conkey-Wiebelhaus (Paul), Tonia Wert, and sons Andrew Conkey (Jody), Brian Conkey. Adopted Daughter Carissa Benedict-Taylor. Grandchildren, Zoe, Iliana, and Gage Conkey-Wiebelhaus, Callista and Chloe Wert, Piper and Lillian Conkey. Great grand-daughter, Ronin Gayle Conkey-Wiebelhaus. She was preceded in death by her Mother, Shirley Joan Johnson, Father Elliot Benjamin Johnson, and sister Jerene G. Tinnel. Kathleen met her Husband William 'Bill' Conkey II in Chico, California in 1975 and were married in March of 1977. With them celebrating 40 years of blissful marriage this past March. In 1988 she moved to Elkhart, IN to care for William's aging parents. She worked as a Nurse, Teacher-aide, Fabric store, Health-Store, Ace Hardware nursery, and was able to accomplish whatever she put her heart and mind to. She and her husband shared their hobbies with others at local craft fairs, with Kathleen making Hawaiin clothes. She always made time to support others in their pursuit of hobbies, careers, and dreams. She was known as a Wife, Mother, Sister, Home-maker, master gardener, seamstress, care-giver, scrap booker/stamper, quilter, soccer mom, serenity sister and listener. She was a self-sustaining woman that put her family first. She was devoted to family and welcomed all into her home with her loving husband. Her unconditional love was felt by all that met her. She was an adventurer, when she graduated high school she traveled to Tahiti to stay with her Aunt and Cousins, who were relatives of James Norman Hall, co-auther of 'Mutiny on the Bounty'. She loved camping, hiking, Sunday Drives with her family with destinations such as Lassen lava tubes, the ocean, dirt roads of Michigan. She could be found in the summers in her garden growing herbs, food, flowers and canning her harvests in the fall to share with all. She was very spiritual and loved educating and healing others with herbs and flowers she grew. She loved weekday getaways to the Conkey family farm with her husband Bill, where they would relax and unwind and fall in love. She filled her days with her grand-children at Linton's, Wellfield Botanic Gardens, helping with 4-h projects, sewing Christmas outfits, prom dresses. Kathleen enjoyed decorating her home and hosting her family and friends for the holidays. Visitation for Kathleen will be 1 hour prior to the 3 p.m. celebration of life service Thursday, December 7, 2017 at Walley-Mills-Zimmerman Funeral Home. Officiating will be her son Brian Conkey. Memorial contributions may be given to the Wellfield Botanic Gardens, 1011 N Main St, Elkhart, IN 46514. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Kathleen Gayle Conkey please visit our Sympathy Store.

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