Donald W. Conlee was born May 10, 1934 in Jefferson Township of Lee County, Iowa a son of Charles P. and Irene E. (Starr) Conlee. He was a fifth generation to live in Jefferson Township, where he was a hobby farmer in which he received several awards for his prize winning yields, and also an avid coin collector. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving four years, part of which was during the Korean War. He retired from the Santa Fe Railroad with 40 years of accident free service. He had been a member of the United Transportation Union since 1957, BNSF Retiree Association, AARP, and the Farm Bureau. He was a lifetime member of the Santa Fe United Methodist Church, where he was baptized in 1952. He was a life member of the VFW Post 1805, West Point American Legion, Green Bay Chapter of Izaak Walton, and Pheasants Forever. He belonged to the Old Threshers in Mt. Pleasant were he was a member of the President's Circle, and a honorary member of Boys Town. He was a loyal supporter of the Montrose Library, Montrose Fire and Rescue, and the Izaak Walton.

At 76 years of age, he died at 6:40 pm Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at the Fort Madison Community Hospital, Fort Madison, Iowa. He is survived by two brothers, John R. Conlee, of Fort Madison, Iowa and David P. (wife Sunny)Conlee, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; four sisters: Jean Shelledy, of Houston, Texas; Mary Lozier, of Monmouth, Illinois; Joyce (husband David) Baggerly, of Houston, Texas; and Debra (husband John) Johnson, of Houston, Texas; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers.

Friends may call after 4:00 pm Friday, July 23, 2010 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, where the family will meet friends from 6:00 - 7:00 pm Friday evening. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, July 24, 2010 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, with Pastor Bill Willis officiating. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery, Fort Madison, Iowa. A memorial has been established for Green Bay Chapter of Izaak Walton, contributions may be made at the Barr Memorial Chapel.