Conkling, Claris F.

Claris F. Conkling, 63, of 3020 Tiperary Dr. NE, died suddenly Tuesday, April 6, 2010, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 14, at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. The Rev. Lloyd Brockmeyer of St. Paul's United Methodist Church will officiate. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to service time. Arrangements by Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Survivors include her husband, Dr. R.W. Conkling; a sister, Dixie (Al) Woodraska of Harlan, Iowa; a brother, Jon (Donna) Backer of Dilworth, Minn.; three stepsons, Bill, Jim and Jeff Conkling; two nieces, Terry Duffer and Sharon Lucke; and one nephew, Kenneth Woodraska.

Claris was the daughter of Sylvester and Marjorie Backer and was born April 18, 1946, in Wahpeton, N.D. She and her family lived in Hankinson, N.D., until 1959 when they moved to Harlan, Iowa. She graduated from Harlan High School in 1965 and later that year entered St. Luke's School of Nursing in Cedar Rapids. After she received her RN degree she joined the nursing staff at St. Luke's Hospital and remained a member of the nursing staff until her retirement in 1996.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.

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