James Wesley Conrad, age 73, of High Amana, IA, formerly of Wayland, IA, died Wednesday June 29, 2011, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, IA. Funeral Services will be at 10:30 AM Saturday July 2, 2011 at Sugar Creek Mennonite Church in rural Wayland, IA with Pastor Richard Swartzendruber and Pastor Nathan Luitjens officiating. Burial will follow at Sugar Creek Mennonite Church Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 PM Friday July 1, 2011 at the church. A memorial fund has been established. Kloster Funeral Home in Marengo is handling the arrangements. 

Survivors include his two sons: Michael (Colleen) of Marengo; Ronald (Christina) of Wayland; and daughter Amy Yoder (Brad) of High Amana; five grandchildren: Jory, Daniel, and Brinley Conrad; Gracie and Simon Yoder; and brother Willard Conrad (Hettie) of Hesston, KS.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Shirley in 2009, brother Edwin, and sister Ruth Liechty.

James Wesley Conrad was born September 10, 1937, in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, the son of Daniel and Luetta Kaufman Conrad. He graduated from Wayland High School in 1956. He served in 1-W for a year in Denver, Colorado. He married Shirley Ilene Gingerich on November 14, 1959 at Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church, Kalona, Iowa. James was a farmer and also was employed by Farmers Implement in Washington, Iowa in the parts department and then was a truck driver for Agri-Way Feeds of Wayland, Iowa.

He loved John Deere tractors, playing with his grandchildren, and spending time outdoors and walking around his farm. He also enjoyed music especially Johnny Cash. He was a lifetime member of Sugar Creek Church and most recently attended Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church.