May 7, 1955 – March 5, 2025
Paul Conrad, 93, of Westby, Wis., passed away peacefully on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at Norseland Nursing Home in Westby.
Paul married Joan Weibel on May 7, 1955, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cashton, Wis. Together, they raised five children on the home farm between Westby and Cashton, where Paul milked cattle and raised corn, hay and tobacco. Paul and Joan purchased the farm without a down payment, but rather, with the proceeds from their first tobacco crop.
As if farming wasn’t enough work, Paul, at age 32, enrolled in auctioneer school in Mason City, Iowa, which led to a long and successful career with his business, Conrad Auction Service; this after being told he’d never make it as an auctioneer. He went on to prove them wrong, which started by selling cattle at auction barns and then moving to farm and household auctions. For many years, he donated his services for the Westby Lions Club fundraiser auction.
He eventually opened Conrad Realty in Viroqua, Wis., and sold many properties in the area, and his auctioneering career spanned nearly 40 years. He probably set a record for auctioneering when he called 31 auctions in 30 days!
Paul and Joan were avid card players, participating in area euchre tournaments at local taverns and American Legion halls. Oftentimes, they would win, thanks to Paul’s gift of somehow turning poor hands into a point. They loved playing cards and passed that love down to their children and grandchildren.
After retirement, Paul enjoyed his daily routine of meeting the other retired farmers and businessmen at Central Express for coffee and an hour or two of talking about the “news” and solving the world’s problems. In the afternoons, Paul and Joan loved driving the rolling hills of Vernon County, assessing their neighbors’ crops, visiting with Amish friends, and watching the big, red sun dip below the horizons.
Paul is survived by his wife of 69 years, Joan; their children 1) Cindy Henry of La Crescent, Minn.; grandson, Ryan (Maria) Henry; and great-grandchildren, Kenley and Maya; 2) Cathy Conrad of Altoona, Wis.; grandson, Jason (Heidi) Kelbel; and great-grandchildren, Jacob and Jaxon; 3) Brian Conrad of Westby, Wis.; granddaughter, Jessica Nephrud; and great-granddaughter, Kallista; granddaughter, Stacy Gilardi; and great-grandchildren, Taylor, Haylee and Hadley; and grandson, Ben Ammann; 4) Bruce (Pam) Conrad of Sparta, Wis.; and grandsons, Nick Conrad and Wyatt Baker; and 5) Christine (David) Ott of Eau Claire Wis.; granddaughter, Megan Ott; and great-granddaughter, Cecilia, and granddaughter, Madelyn Ott. Paul is also survived by one sister, Rose Walsky of Winona, Minn.; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Pauline (Brueggen) Conrad; a brother, Norbert Conrad; sisters Elvera Bekkum and Elrita Leis; and a son-in-law, David Henry.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, March 11, 2025, 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cashton, WI. Burial with full military honors did follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery.
Family and friends were invited for visitation on Monday, March 10, 2025, begining at 3:45 p.m. with Rosary, followed by visitation until 7 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Cashton. Visitation was also held Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church.
