Devon Eldwin Conrad, 93, Santa Barbara, Calif.

Devon Eldwin Conrad was born in Nappanee, Ind. on Dec. 3, 1927 to Russell and Inez Conrad. He went to be with our Lord on Friday, March 19, 2021, at the age of 93.

He graduated 8th grade from a one-room schoolhouse in Elkhart County, Ind. then took over the field work on the family’s 80 acre farm while his father worked in town. He moved with the family to Hayfield, in 1947.

On Aug. 19, 1950, Devon married Irene Lindahl in Dodge Center. They joyfully celebrated 70 years of marriage this past August.

Devon was inducted into the Army on Oct. 25, 1950 for a period of two years where he served at an Army hospital in Frankfort, Germany as a surgical tech. Upon returning home, he was employed at Jostens in Owatonna as an alloy technician. He worked for Jostens for a total of 33 years. During that time, the company transferred him and his family in 1963 to Santa Barbara, Calif. After retiring at the age of 55, he and his wife enjoyed extensive international and domestic travel.

In 1998, Devon and Irene relocated to a senior living community in Whitewater, Wis. where they resided for 22 years. This past August, they moved back to Santa Barbara to live with their son and daughter-in-law. 

Devon was a loving husband and father of three children.

He is survived by his wife, oldest daughter Karna Williams and husband Scott, daughter Bonnie Messina and husband Ron, and son Mark Conrad and wife Ronni; four grandchildren, Deonne Williams, Dr. Christopher Williams, Steven Conrad and Holly Conrad; six great- grandchildren, Felix, Gage, Noelle, Alexander, Benjamin and Tanner.

Devon was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Lyle Conrad and his wife Mary, and his youngest brother, Lotus Conrad; and a great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Thibodeau.

The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 26, 2021, at Seventh Day Baptist Church, 203 E Main St in Dodge Center, with Pastor Bill Shobe officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, March 25, 2021, at Czaplewski Family Funeral Homes, 25 South Street in Dodge Center, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in Dodge Center, with military honors provided by the Dodge Center American Legion.

To share a special memory or condolence please visit www.czaplewskifuneralhomes.com, Czaplewski Family Funeral Homes, 25 South Street, Dodge Center, MN 55927 (507)374-2155. Blessed be his memory.