LaRae Jonell Conwell

If you ever wondered what could be created from a scrap of wood or a piece of fabric when placed in the hands of a woman with unstoppable determination, the answer was always the same: anything—as long as LaRae Conwell was behind the project.

LaRae Jonell (Meidinger) Conwell was born on May 12, 1940, in Glendive, Montana. Her childhood was a patchwork quilt of places and experiences—stitched together across the states—with the longest chapter unfolding under the California sun in Long Beach, where she lived with her mother, Gertrude E. (Bratton) Tedford.

During high school, a 14‑month stop in Kokomo, Indiana changed everything. It was there she met her sweetheart, Wilbur Paul Conwell, Jr.—a meeting that led to their marriage in August 1958 and years and years filled with memories and three children who adored her: Jana (Tim) Takacs, Tara Petty, and Greg (Carol) Conwell.

Her legacy continues through her grandchildren, Danielle Petty and Cameron (Tori) Petty, who carry forward her creativity, humor, and love for living life to its fullest.

LaRae loved her family fiercely, her four‑legged companions tenderly, and her Lord faithfully. Church wasn’t just a place she attended—it was a community she nurtured. For years, she opened her home and her heart to host Bible studies, offering wisdom, warmth, and the kind of hospitality that made everyone feel like family.

On January 1, 2026, LaRae left this world surrounded by her loved ones. She is now reunited with her mother, Gertrude; her former husband, Wilbur (Paul); and his parents. She will soon be laid to rest at Sunset Memory Garden in Kokomo, Indiana, where a private graveside ceremony will be held at a later date.

LaRae’s life was not defined by the places she lived, but by the love she gave, the things she created, and the faith that guided her. She leaves behind a family who will miss her forever.

Her hands made things.

Her heart built people.

And both will be felt for generations.