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Eugene "Gene" Conaway, 95

Eugene "Gene" Leo Conaway was born June 16, 1929, on a farm north of Athol in Lane Township, Smith County, Kansas. He was the third child of James Leo and Frances Elizabeth Jackson Conaway. He departed this life on April 26, 2025, at the age of 95 years.
Gene's father, Leo, died when Gene was only seven years old. His mother remarried a few years later to Francis Gibson. Gene attended grade school at Athol, Kansas, and when his family moved to Scottsbluff, Nebraska, he attended school there until he returned to Athol and while living with his first cousins, Mildred and Robert Hudson, he graduated from Athol High School in 1947.
Gene married Elzene Panter on December 24, 1949. They lived on several farmsteads around and in Athol during their marriage. Three daughters were born to this union: Donna Gene, Denise Ann and Dixie Lea. They divorced in 1997.
Farming was his passion. He loved the land. His mother would say "He is the best farmer in Lane Township." When it was time to work the fields, he would be out until the job was done. He appreciated every rain drop and was always watching the weather, not only for the crops but also it gave him time to rest. He loved the smell of freshly worked soil.
He enjoyed working with livestock. When first married he had milk cows and pigs. He began going to the livestock sales to buy calves which he raised and sold as "fat cattle." Some of the crops he grew went to feeding the livestock. He discontinued the cattle operation when he built a new home in Smith Center.
When he was no longer in the cattle business Gene plowed the pastures and removed the ponds converting those acres to farm ground. He cleaned up at least fifteen building sites on the additional acres that he purchased during his time of farming. He had terraces and waterways built in many of his fields to prevent erosion. Conserving the land was the way he farmed. Green was his color as nearly all his equipment was John Deere.
He also loved to garden in his later years in Smith Center. It was a hobby to him. He gardened like he farmed, always wanting the ground mellow to plant his garden in.
He served on the Kensington School Board for eight years, on the ASCS Board for Smith County and the Coop Board at Athol.
Gene learned to square dance and enjoyed ballroom dancing polkas, waltzes and two-step. Dancing kept him active throughout his life. He took several bus trips to see the country.
Gene married Arleta Tolbert Hill on August 28, 1997. They continued dancing and became regulars on Sunday nights in Hasting, Nebraska. He built a Morton building in Smith Center and invited his many dancing friends from Nebraska to a free dance several years providing live music and a potluck supper for all who attended. They enjoyed many great years of dancing.
He was proceeded in death by his parents; stepfather; daughter, Denise and son-in-law, Lee Johnson. Also preceding him in death were his sisters, Betty Elizabeth Conaway (infant), Deloris Elaine Carstens and brother, Kenneth Dean Conaway; brother-in-law, Levi Carstens; nephew, Jerry Ray Carstens; and sister-in-law, Clara Whitfield.
Gene leaves behind his wife, Arleta, of the home; daughters, Donna Johnson of Kensington, Kansas, and Dixie (Craig) Smith of Topeka, Kansas. He lived a full life, surrounded by generations of family, leaving behind a legacy of love through his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, stepsons, and step-grandchildren who will miss him dearly.
Surviving grandchildren include Donna's daughters, Misti (Matt) Johnson-Olthoff and son Kipton Lee, St. George, Kansas, and Kelli (Andre) Johnson and daughter Zari, Wichita, Kansas; Denise's daughters, Jennifer (Tim) and children Will, Celia, Elijah, and Ezekiel of New Prague, Minnesota, and Bethany of Minnetonka, Minnesota; Dixie's children, son Connor (Maribeth) Lenexa, Kansas, daughter Kendra (fiancé Austin) Olathe, Kansas, and daughter Taylor (Jarred) Overland Park, Kansas.
Surviving stepsons include Scot Hill, Prairie Village, Kansas, and children Owen, Eva, Emmett, and Nora, and stepson Jeff (Julie) Hill, Wichita, Kansas, and children Vivian and Colton.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at All Faiths Funeral Chapel, 113 S. Madison St., Smith Center, Kansas, with Pastor David Luna officiating.
The burial will take place in Pleasant View Cemetery, Athol Kansas.
Memorials may be given to The Gideons International and can be sent in care of the funeral chapel.

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Beloit, KS 67420, USA