Joan Sheldon Conner

Joan Sheldon Conner, 89, of Scottsbluff, passed away on Sunday, August 5, 2012. Her funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 10, 2012 at First Presbyterian Church in Scottsbluff. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Conner-Madden Scholarship fund in care of Scottsbluff High School Activities Office. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Thursday, at Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel. Joan was born December 5, 1922 in Lincoln, NE to Phil and Maude (Walker) Sheldon. Joan grew up in Scottsbluff, NE. She enjoyed swimming, horseback riding, tennis and playing in the SHS band. Attending summer camp in the Colorado Rockies was always a favorite activity. In high school she became a camp counselor and her favorite responsibility was being in charge of the horse program. She graduated from SHS in 1940. Then she attended UNL where she became a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority. While living in the Alpha Phi house she made many lifetime friends. On a blind date she met her future husband, Bill, who was a student and athlete at UNL. They were married in Scottsbluff on August 15, 1942. After a short honeymoon to the Rockies, Bill left for military service. Although it was war time, Joan and Bill had some memorable experiences as they moved from military base to military base. After the war ended, Joan went with Bill back to Lincoln where he finished his degree. Then they moved to Scottsbluff where they have resided ever since. Joan raised four children and was their biggest supporter. She encouraged them to make the best of opportunities. Joan took time to sponsor teenage activities, such as the Bearcat Den and school functions. Joan and Bill were often seen dancing with each other at these functions. Bill says, “Joan was my right hand man during football season for player transportation. She was truly a supportive coach’s wife. She crossed the t’s and dotted the i’s with very little recognition.” Joan is well remembered as an excellent swimming instructor. She also worked part time at JC Penney. She was a secretary at Roosevelt Elementary and Scottsbluff Junior High. A passion of Joan’s was singing in the annual Messiah. While not widely known, Joan enjoyed making gifts and visiting people who needed a pick me up. She was a long time member of PEO, Chapter FC. As her grandchildren’s Nonnie, Joan was a fan of all their activities. She and Bill were avid Husker football fans attending most home games. Survivors include her children, William (Lynn) Conner, of Cook, MN; Pam Ehler of Scottsbluff; Tim (Jody) Conner of Charlotte, NC; Kim (Rod) Whitlock of Nixa, MO; 13 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and Mary Mata, Joan’s special friend. Her parents, one brother, and one sister preceded her in death.