Donald F. Conway

Conway, Donald FrancisMADISON - Donald Francis Conway, age 76, passed away on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. He was born on March 5, 1935, in Westport, the son of Frank and Lucy (Walker) Conway. Don graduated from St. Patrick's Grade School and Queen of Apostles Seminary. He served active duty in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958. Don graduated from the Madison Business College. He was united in marriage to Carol J. Sauk on Sept. 4, 1965 at St. Dennis Catholic Church in Madison. Don enthusiastically embraced life. He talked fast, moved fast, and was passionate about his faith, family and work. Don delighted in his children and grandchildren and was the favorite babysitter. He belonged to the Elks, Holy Name Society, served on the parish council, taught CCD, participated in youth retreats and was Eucharist minister. After cheering his son Frank during LaFollette High School cross country and track meets, Don began to train and run races himself, high-fiving other participants. He joined Frank both as a volunteer and paid assistant cross country coach. Most of Don's employment was in management in automobile dealerships: Cadillac Division of General Motors, Oak Park, Ill., Frontier Ford, Rockford, Ill., Jack Williams Chevrolet, Ft. Worth, Texas and Zimbrick, Madison. Don is survived by his wife, Carol; three children, Margaret (Mike) Martin, Frank (Sharon) Conway and Dianne (Bob) Hesselbein; grandchildren, Melanie, Marnie and Maddie Martin, Donald and Glenn Conway, William and Annika Edmundson, Katie Hesselbein, Megan (Dave) Kennedy and their children Cooper and Colin, and Mairin Hesselbein; brothers, Joe (Bobbi), Fritz, Bob (Mary Boyd), Pat (Barbara); sisters, Margaret (Carl) Bongard, Dorothy Reichling, Mary Harrington, and Delores Conway; sisters-in-law, Betty Porter, Joanne Breese, Mary (Roger) Calo, Dianne (Jim) Wylesky; brothers-in-law, Dave Sauk and Mike (Deb) Sauk; and 35 nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Jonathon Edmundson; parents-in-law, Art and Mabel Sauk; brothers-in-law, Tim Harrington and Roy Porter; sisters-in-law, Helen Ruth Sauk and Mary Kay Sauk; and nephews, David Reichling and Steve Bongard. A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Rd., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Monday, March21, 2011, with Father Kent Schmitt presiding. Burial will follow at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr. Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 20, 2011, and at the church on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. The family is grateful to the staff at Nazareth Health and Rehabilitation for their dedicated and compassionate care of Don. We also thank St. Mary's Adult Day Care, Monsignor Healy, and HospiceCare Inc. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimers and Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin, HospiceCare Inc., or donor's choice. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimers and Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin, HospiceCare Inc., or donor's choice. Cemetery: Burial will follow at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation: Visitation will be at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr. Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 20, 2011, and at the church on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Service: A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Rd., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Monday, March21, 2011, with Father Kent Schmitt presiding.