Thomas Conkey

MADISON-Thomas J. Conkey joined his sweetheart, Patricia, in eternal rest, on Sunday, May 22, 2011. Tom was born Oct. 2, 1924, in Winona, Minn., to Clarence and Myrtle (Truax) Conkey. Tom joined the U.S. Navy in 1942, where he met his wife, Patricia A Mullen, in New York City. After his honorable discharge in December 1945, Tom and Pat moved back to Madison and started their family. Tom worked for the railroad and then owned and operated Tom's Auto Clinic on East Washington Ave., from 1952 to 1987, when he retired. Tom later worked at Berntsen Cast Products and Cherokee Golf Course. During Tom's Navy service he served time on the minesweeper USS AUK and destroyer USS Wiley seeing the world and earning two Bronze stars. He was an extremely proud veteran. He was a lifetime member of VFW Post No.7591. Tom and Pat enjoyed boating and spent many weekends with their kids on the Madison lakes and taking boat trips on the Mississippi River. They enjoyed camping, traveling and parties with their many dear friends. Tom was always known to selflessly help others with his kind and generous spirit. In later years Tom was a foster grandparent at Central Wisconsin Center with his significant other Delores Kiefer, with whom he spent the last nine years. Tom enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always sharing his favorite ice cream. Tom was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Patricia; a brother, Robert; and his sister, Margaret (Forrest) Rodd. Tom is survived by his son, Tim (Vicky); daughter, Marylynn (Steve) Franzen; grandson, Steve Franzen (girlfriend, Rachel); granddaughter, Lisa (Mike) Knieriem; great-grandchildren, Zoey, Tyler and Ashlyn; sister, Ann (Ed) Osterhus; and several nieces and nephews. Special thanks to Brenda Raimond for the loving care you provided Tom during these last months helping us to keep him at home. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 26, 2011. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 1:30 p.m. until the time of the service on Thursday. Burial will follow at Highland Memory Gardens. A celebration of life will follow at Essen Haus, 514 E. Wilson St., Madison. Memorials may be made in Tom's name to Badger Honor Flight Inc., P.O. Box 258066 Madison, WI 53725. Memorials: Memorials may be made in Tom's name to Badger Honor Flight Inc., P.O. Box 258066 Madison, WI 53725. Cemetery: Burial will follow at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation: Visitation will be at the funeral home from 1:30 p.m. until the time of the service on Thursday. Service: Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 26, 2011.