Kevin Donald Conlon
May 14, 2015Share using:
Kevin Donald “Conz” Conlon, 58 of Dubuque, Iowa passed away suddenly on Thursday, May 14th, 2015 at Unity Point Health, Finley Hospital of natural causes.
Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 18th at St. Raphael Cathedral with Rev. Msgr. Thomas Toale officiating. Entombment will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday, May 17th, 2015 at St. Raphael Cathedral from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and after 9:00 a.m. Monday at the church until time of funeral mass. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road is handling arrangements.
He was born on December 31, 1956 in Dubuque, Iowa the son of Donald and Anna Mae (Meyer) Conlon. On September 19, 1980 he married Kathryn I. Hanselmann at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Dubuque.
Kevin Conlon, affectionately known as “Conz,” graduated from Wahlert Catholic High School in 1975. He then attended Loras College from 1975–1977 and graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 1979 with degrees in both English and Business.
This well-rounded education led to Kevin working for the City of Dubuque in the Finance Department for 24 years before finding a new sense of fulfillment as a paraprofessional at Kennedy and Eisenhower Schools.
His coworkers didn’t know whether Kevin or the kids gained more reward from his lively and engaged presence. Kevin’s commitment was evident in both the teachings he shared and the joy his students experienced because of it. His gentle manner touched many hearts, and he will be missed greatly by students and staff alike.
Growing up, Kevin was a fierce competitor in basketball and track. This passion saw him run in the original— and even win — the Turkey Trot, and participate in the Bay-to-Breakers race in San Francisco and the Drake Marathon, in which he took home 10th place. If you’ve ever driven Asbury Road as the sun paints the world golden, there’s a good chance you’ve seen Kevin walking and emanating the beam — in Kevin’s life there were no strangers, only friends he hadn’t yet met.
No one knew this better than his loving family. When Kevin wasn’t mindfully tending his garden, stacking wood, or sharing a tune with the yard birds, he was spreading that compassion to his wife, children, and pets. He and Kathy continuously enriched their lives through invigorating walks, practicing yoga, and connecting with their extensive list of friends. Natalie and Alex stand strong knowing Kevin’s love and support — through all battles and achievements — is a force that endures eternal. And the pets will do their best to go without Kevin’s tender affection.
In his passing, all the world lost a caring ear and understanding smile — while being awarded the chance to reflect in and emulate Kevin’s character.
Kevin is survived by his wife Kathryn Conlon, his daughter Natalie (Significant other, Justin Garvin) Conlon, of Chicago, IL, and his son Alex Conlon, at home. His siblings; Gary (Marian Walker) Conlon, Cathy (James) Giese, Marna (Mark) Sullivan, Lynn (Jack) McCullough, Daniel (Jennifer Clemens) Conlon, Anne White, Luke (Nancy) Conlon, and Mark (Amy) Conlon. His mother-in-law Anne Hanselmann, brother-in-law Herbert (Suzanne) Hanselmann, and sisters-in-law Linda (Jerry) Redmond, and Elizabeth (Jim Wenger) Harms. Twenty nine nieces and nephews and three great nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his father-in-law Herbert Hanselmann and a nephew Conlon G. White.
A Kevin D. Conlon memorial fund will be established.
The family wishes to thank Chaplain Jim at Unity Point Health, Finley Hospital and Dennis Bradley.
