Marcella Conley

Racine – Marcella “Sally” (nee: Bahr) Conley, 88, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her children, at Lincoln Village on Sunday, September 25, 2011. 

Sally was born in Farmington, WI on November 28, 1922 to the late Joseph and Katherine (nee: Yogerst) Bahr. On August 23, 1944 she was united in marriage with Robert G. Conley. They lived in Eau Claire from 1946 until moving to Racine in 1963. 

With a profound and tireless work ethic, Sally was employed by Jacobsen Textron from 1963 until her retirement in 1984. During that time, she also worked as a waitress at Dania Hall, Racine Labor Center and Racine Motor Inn. 

Sally was a member of St. Edward Catholic Church where she was active in their annual rummage and craft sales. She was a talented seamstress; enjoyed crafts; and always looked forward to her Tuesday night card games with family and friends. Above all, Sally always placed the needs of others before her own and absolutely loved being a mom, grandma and great-grandma. 

Surviving are her twin daughters, Joan (Charlie Rosenquist) Schrader of Racine and Joyce (Allen) Sandberg, Sr. of Mondovi; sons, Patrick (LuAnn) Conley and Michael (Mary) Conley, both of Racine; grandchildren, Brenda (Greg Gotthardt) Smith, John Schrader, Allen (Andrea) Sandberg Jr., Jeffrey (Julie) Sandberg, Lori (Rob) Purdy, Mark (Missy) Sandberg, Amanda Conley and Jason Conley; great-grandchildren, Danielle Miller-Rocha, Tanner Smith and Janee Schrader; Allen III, Andrew and Allysabeth Sandberg; Justin, Josh and Jeremy Sandberg; Katlin, MacKenzie and Blake Purdy; Damyon and Dante Sandberg; Chase and Payton Conley; sisters, Rosemary (Lyle) Person and Catherine Christensen; brothers, Donald (Elaine) Bahr and Jerome (Helen) Bahr; brother-in-law, George Markwardt; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

In addition to her parents, Sally was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, on March 24, 1996; grandson, Robert Michael Miller; sisters, Florence Markwardt and Mildred (Leonard) Bergemann; brothers, Howard (Lorraine) Bahr and Norbert Bahr; in-laws, George and Kathryn Conley; sister-in-law, Barbara Bahr; and brother-in-law, Robert Christensen. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 10 am in St. Edward Catholic Church (1403 Grove Ave.) with Rev. Allen Bratkowski officiating. Entombment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32.  Visitation will be held in the funeral home on Friday from 5-8 pm (Prayer Vigil at 7:30 pm) and in the church on Saturday from 9-10 am. 

A heartfelt note of thanks to Lincoln Village Convalescent Center and Seasons Hospice, especially Rhonda, for the compassionate care and support given in Sally’s time of need. May God bless all of you!