Billee Conner

“Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.”                - Tagore

Beulah “Billee” Conner went to her heavenly home on Oct. 16, 2018, and is now in the loving arms of her husband, family and friends who preceded her in death.

Billee was born Oct. 25, 1923, near Williamstown, Mo., to Bertha Melvina (Kell) Mitts and Eddie Pearl Mitts. She was seventh of 10 children. 

After graduating from high school Billee went to Washington, D.C., to work in the Washington Navy Yard during World War II, an environment in which she flourished. 

She returned home to Elgin, Iowa, where she met and married Harold Conner on Sept. 8, 1946, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They spent the first four years of their marriage living in Des Moines while Harold attended Drake University. 

Billee and Harold made a home with their four children in West Union, Iowa. Billee put her dream of college on hold to become an outstanding wife, mother and member of her community. Her kitchen was always open for anyone to enter. From bread in the oven to dinner on the stove, she was an excellent cook.

After her husband’s death in 1980, Billee became a housemother at sororities on the campus of Iowa State University and Drake University. She was known as “Mrs. C” to many young women. 

Billee had numerous interests, including reading; studying the Bible; cross-stitch; knitting; horses; traveling to England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Greece and Jerusalem; and, of course, cooking. 

She enjoyed watching the Kentucky Derby every year and was fortunate to attend the Derby twice with Harold.

She was a 50-plus-year member of the Order of Eastern Star and a member of United Methodist Church in West Union. 

Billee’s children – Judson (Nellie) Conner of Fort Worth, Texas, Kirk Conner of Indian Hills, Colo., Kevin Conner of Marion, and Kristin (James) Novak of Cedar Rapids – will carry on her memory, along with her grandchildren Katie (Jason), Ben, John, Sean, Caitlin, Melisa, Paige (Carter), and Whitney); 11 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Billee was preceded in death by her husband; parents; and nine siblings, Homer, Jasper, Floyd, Walt, Wanna, Dorels, Dean, Imogene and Jennings. 

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.     43u43