Johann Abel Conrads was born to Jann J. Conrads and Jakoba (Ennenga) Conrads on October 30, 1931 in Pewsum, Ostfriesland, Germany. After witnessing World War II as a teenager, he, his parents, and his three younger brothers immigrated to Parkersburg, Iowa, USA in 1951. He returned to Germany in 1952 to marry the girl he had left behind, Käthe Jacoba Funk. Through the German Education System, he became a master blacksmith having apprenticed under his maternal grandfather. He and Käthe then returned to Waterloo, Iowa, in 1955 with their toddler son, Jann Bernhard Conrads. In their new life they learned the English language, became assimilated into the American culture, and became American citizens in 1963. At this time, he and his son’s names were Americanized to “John”, and his wife’s name was changed from Käthe to “Katie”. John A. and Katie’s two daughters, Elaine and Heidi, were both born in Waterloo, Iowa.
John started his working life in America with various trucking companies. He achieved an Associate’s Degree in Diesel Mechanics and began a long career with Deere & Company in Waterloo, Iowa. He moved his family to both Germany and Iran for work assignments with Deere. He travelled extensively throughout Europe, Africa, Russia, and the Middle East while founding Deere’s marketing beginnings in those parts of the world. John tallied visits to 63 countries, his passport required an accordion-style insert to contain the many visas. His later assignments with Deere & Company were in Moline, Illinois and Waterloo, Iowa. He retired from Deere at age 58 and then became a house-building contractor in Boulder & Longmont, Colorado, where his two daughters and their families lived. He built over 60 deluxe homes through 2010 and then decided to retire a second time, to enjoy family life.
He was active in church, taught adult Sunday School for many years, was president of the Longmont Home Builder’s Association, and enjoyed speaking/teaching/consulting for a wide range of industries including the Farm Implement Dealer’s Association. He participated in various industry committees. He published many technical papers. John was a “jack of all trades” and could make or fix anything. Nothing seemed too big.
He and wife, Katie, maintained family ties with many relatives and friends who remain in Germany.
John is survived by his wife Katie of 68 years, his son, John (Joanne) Conrads, his daughter, Elaine (Craig) Drake, and his daughter, Heidi (Tim) Sullivan. He was Opa to six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his three brothers and their families: Abe (Wilma) Conrads, Jake (Dorothy) Conrads, and Bernie (Evelyn) Conrads.
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