Emma Louise Conrad

Emma Louise Conrad, 89, of Clifton received her angel wings on Saturday, January 8, 2022. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 16, 2022, at Zion United Church, Womack. A private burial will be held at Clifton Memorial Park at a later date. Visitation will be held from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 16, 2022, at Zion United Church, Womack. 

Emma was born on Easter Sunday, March 27, 1932, to Henry Gus and Emma Thiele Meinkowsky in the Womack Community, west of Clifton. She was the youngest of seven children. She was baptized on February 19, 1933, at Evangelical and Reformed Church, now known as Zion United Church at Womack. She became a lifelong member when she was confirmed on March 21, 1948. She attended Womack School from first grade through eighth grade and graduated from Clifton High School in 1949.

Emma Louise and Erwin Lester Conrad were married on August 9, 1952, upon his return from serving in the United States Army in Korea. They made their home in Bosque County and Clifton.

Five children were born to Emma and Erwin - Patricia Nanette, Randall Claye, Alan Layne, Don Brent, and Beth Annette.

Emma’s early years were spent caring for her family, taking care of her garden and sewing for her family. She also cared for other children in her home and until all her children were in school. She then ventured out and worked part time for Clifton Public Schools in the cafeteria and several other local businesses in Clifton.

After Erwin’s death in 1983, she went to work full time until she retired.

She was active in her church work at Zion United Church at Womack, teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, and activities of the Women’s Guild.

One of Emma’s goals was to quilt like her mother. She had already mastered sewing garments for her family and sewing for friends. After retiring from work outside the home, she started her quilting adventure. She made her quilts for all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She used her hand quilting skills by quilting for others. When her closet was full of quilts, she lovingly gave some of these to family and friends. While she worked at the Pot O’ Gold, benefiting the Lutheran Sunset Ministries. Each quilt that she made or hand quilted for someone was recorded with a photo. Her photo albums of all her quilts that she made or quilted for others were a treasure to her as she would sit and reflect at all of the wonderful quilts.

Another passion was her garden and potted plants. She filled her garden with lots of daffodils, iris, daisies, and even Texas bluebonnets, which continued to bloom each spring, a wonderful floral showcase to her back yard.

She enjoyed traveling, seeing many states including Hawaii and Alaska. She also made several trips to Germany.

Emma enjoyed her volunteer work at the Pot O’ Gold. She made many friends there and worked there until her eyesight began to fail. She was also an active member of the Texas German Society, where she attended meetings and helped with fundraising events.

Emma Louise was preceded in death by her husband, Erwin; infant son Randall Claye; her parents and siblings, Henry G. and Emma Meinkowsky, Verlia Meinkowsky Fenter, Anna Thusnelda Meinkowsky, Pauline Meinkowsky Freedman, Hester Meinkowsky Rosentreter, Nadine Meinkowsky Freedman and Henry Louis Meinkowsky; her niece, Gail Freedman McWhirter; and nephew, Gary Freedman.

She is survived by her children, Patricia Moore of Round Rock, Alan Conrad of Seattle, Washington, Don Conrad and wife, Christine Conrad of Cary, North Carolina and Beth Annette Ratliff of Clifton; brother-in-law, David Conrad; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews who lovingly called her by her childhood nickname of Aunt Sis.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Zion United Church at Womack, 1411 FM 219, Clifton, TX 76634, or Lutheran Sunset Ministries, PO Box 71, Clifton, TX 76634.

Condolences may be made at www.cliftonfh.com.