Geraldine "Gerry" Lee Conrad

Geraldine “Gerry” Lee (McMain) Conrad, age 98, died on July 30, 2025, at Liberty Place Assisted Living in Clay Center, Kansas. Gerry was born June 17, 1927, in Kansas City, Kansas, the older of two daughters to George Kenneth McMain and Louise (Love) McMain.

At the tender age of 3 ½ years of age, her 26-year-old father was killed in an automobile accident.

Several years later, tragedy struck again. Gerry’s mother was diagnosed with tuberculosis and was sent to the sanitorium in Norton, Kansas for the next five years.  Gerry and her sister were being cared for and raised by her grandmother, aunts, and uncles, but when the Great Depression entered into the picture, Gerry, age 6, and Joan, age 3/12, were sent to the Rebekah Odd Fellows Children’s Home in Manhattan for several years where they received great care along with other children.

Louise met a fellow patient Chester “Chet” Kent while in Norton.  They ultimately returned to Kansas City and were married.  Chet landed a job, and the girls were able to go to the new home in Ottawa, Kansas.  Chet managed to land a better job, this time in Overland Park, and then again, a short while later in Clay Center in 1940.

Chet adopted the girls in every way except formally on paper.  Nevertheless, Gerry and Joan adopted the last name Kent and were known as such. Gerry considered Chet her father.

Life was finally taking on a sense of normalcy.  But once again, tragedy struck.  Her mother Louise again began battling TB and ultimately died in 1945.  Gerry was 17.

Life continued at a fast pace.  Gerry met Arlan Conrad and the two were wed in November 1948.  This relationship thrived and certainly could be considered nearly ideal.  Four children were born to this union.

She was a full-time mom and always involved with the various activities of the kids.  She was an accomplished golfer, involved in her bridge club, and in St. Paul’s Episcopal church.  Gerry volunteered at the Clay County Museum and was active in the area miniature doll house club.

Arlan preceded her in death in December 2006, she was also preceded in death by a grandson, Shawn Michael, and a nephew, Brad Randle.

Gerry’s sister, Joan Randle of Salina, Kansas survives.  Also surviving are her four children: Rand and wife Debra of Riley, Kansas; Larry and wife Wanda of Wamego, Kansas; Cathy Harman and husband Hank of Manhattan, Kansas; and Kim and wife Sonya of Manhattan, Kansas; 12 grandchildren, 1 step grandchild, 20 great grandchildren, 2 step great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 7, 2025, from 5:30-7 PM at the Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home, Clay Center, Kansas.

Funeral Services will be at 10:30 AM, Friday, August 8, 2025, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Clay Center

The burial will take place at Greenwood Cemetery, Clay Center

Memorial contributions can be made to the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church or to the Shriner's Children Hospital c/o the funeral home