John J. Conway

John Conway, 89 year old resident of Waseca, died on Wednesday, January 12, 2017 at Colony Court in Waseca.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:30 AM on Wednesday, January 18 at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Waseca. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be for two hour prior to the Mass at church on Wednesday. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be given to Smile Train.
Arrangements are being completed by Starkson & Steffel Funeral & Cremation Services ~ McRaith Chapel of Waseca. www.wasecafuneral.com
John Joseph Patrick Conway was born on July 20, 1927 in Waseca to John and Alice (Costello) Conway, youngest of eight children. John was baptized as an infant and confirmed in his faith in his youth all at Church of the Sacred Heart in Waseca. He graduated from Sacred Heart High School where he participated in football. Following high school John enlisted into the United States Navy which he served for 18 months during World War II prior to being honorably discharged.
John was united in marriage to Verla Margaret Schoenrock on June 5, 1948 at Church of the Sacred Heart. Together they lived and raised their family in Waseca. John worked on the farm for his family until 1961 and later began working in real estate until his retirement. John always stayed busy doing many jobs in retirement, some of these include: driving school bus, driving truck, and delivering meals on wheels. He also enjoyed his time tending to his vegetable garden.
He was a lifelong member of Church of the Sacred Heart. He was a part of the Secular Franciscans and was a charter member of the Irish American Group. He was a caring and charitable person being very involved in the clothing drive in Waseca for many years. He was a big sports fan, especially following local sports which his children and grandchildren participated.
John is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Verla; children: Jeff (Carol) of Mesa, AZ, Steve (Judy) of Waseca, Beth Taylor of St. Paul, John of Waseca, Kristine (Steve) Harmeyer of Seattle, WA, Alice (Jeff) Brown of Charleston, SC and Mary Conway of Charleston, SC; daughter-in-law, Kathleen Conway of Deephaven; 16 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews who know him as "Uncle Johnny", other relatives and many friends.
Preceded in death by his parents, son, Patrick Joseph Conway and his seven siblings.