Micky Conard

Maxine “Micky” Wilson Conard, born Maxine Wilson on November 4, 1942, in Vancouver, Washington. She passed away on September 9, 2026. She was the daughter of Arabelle Dufur Wilson and Ernest Vernon Wilson. She is one of 5 siblings and is survived by her brother Wes Wilson. She was preceded in death by her siblings Katie Campbell, Don Wilson, and Bobby Wilson and her grandson Kacee Shane Conard

Micky lived most of her life in Grants Pass, Oregon, where she met her beloved husband, Kenneth Edwin Conard, at Larry’s Drive-In. Together they married and raised their four children, David Wyland, Debbie Conard, Kenny Conard, and Dana McKeever.

Micky devoted more than 32 years to Grants Pass School District 7, eventually becoming the print shop manager after working in several positions throughout the district.

But her greatest joy and accomplishment was her family.

Micky was the sweetest soul you could ever meet—content, genuine, trustworthy, loving, compassionate, and caring. She was never materialistic and lived a simple, happy life. She didn't care how much money someone had or what they owned. She cared about their heart, their kindness, and their love.

As a mother, she was simply the best. She made every holiday special, filling her home with decorated tables, goodies, little gifts, laughter, and love. She proudly let her children decorate the Christmas tree, no matter how imperfect it looked, because making memories mattered more than perfection. Her home was filled with Thanksgiving gatherings, many gatherings, countless family and friends, endless food, laughter, and love.

She showed her love in the little things, too. Even when Dad & her went out on a weekend, she would get us pizza or TV dinners for us kids and let us watch creature features and have snacks. She would always bring us home a Coke slush for each of us—no matter how late it was.

Micky loved gardening, crafting, traveling, dining out, and taking drives near lakes, rivers, and oceans. She especially loved going out to eat, but she was just as happy with a hot dog or toast at home. She truly was content with the VERY simple things in life. She loved to have Oregon Duck Game night TV at her house with a lot of food and snacks for her brothers and sisters to come attend. I always saw their shoes gathered together at the front door and those shoes were full of love. When Bobby would leave, it took at least 45 minutes to say “goodbye” because it was always, “And 1 more thing” ……Those moments are treasured with us all.

Her grandchildren were among her greatest treasures. Kacee Shane Conard, Brittany Wyland Klingler, Tiffany Wyland, Lindsey Conard Syfert, Amanda Morse, Eliina Wyland, and Kolton Wyland lit up her world. Seeing them brought the biggest smiles and the greatest enthusiasm to her face. She loved them to the moon and back. Her Great-Grandchildren, Eli Syfert, Ethan Syfert, and Zoe Syfert, Brody Shelander, Ryder Shelander, Kaiden Thayer & Berkley Morse brought her incredible joy beyond words. She lit up with the biggest smiles when they were around. She loved kids and had a real connection with them and they loved her so much too.

After Ken passed away in 2003, Micky became the rock of her family taking the role of Mom and Dad both. She continued to be the person everyone could count on.

Her brother Wes Wilson held an especially precious place in her heart. He was her safe place and one of her best friends for life to this day. They shared countless treasured visits throughout the years. Wes was always there for her, helping around her home and even helping with the “construction side” of her wooden crafts or any crafts she needed help with. He and his family were a part of countless family gatherings throughout her life. Micky treasured her brother with her whole heart.

Micky was also blessed with a lifelong friend, Marty Love, whom she looked up to and trusted as a great friend/confidant. They could sit together at River’s Edge for birthdays or other occasions and reminisce for hours, sometimes talking for three hours without realizing how much time had passed.

During the last 13 years of her life, Micky was blessed with the companionship and friendship of Karl Keen, who also became her neighbor. His friendship gave her companionship and someone to share life's everyday moments with, and her family will always be grateful for the kindness he gave her.

Micky always tried to help those in need and would go out of her way to do something kind for others. She never needed recognition. Giving and caring simply came naturally to her.

She is survived by her children, David Wyland, Debbie Conard, Kenny Conard, Dana McKeever

Her brother- Wes Wilson; her grandchildren Brittany Klingler, Tiffany Wyland, Lindsey Syfert, Amanda Morse, Eliina Wyland, Kolton Wyland and her great-grandchildren Eli Syfert Ethan Syfert, and Zoe Syfert Kaiden Thayer, Berkley Morse, Ryder Shelander & Brody Shelander.

Her greatest legacy is her family.

To her children, —she was the best mother they could have ever been given. She was their comfort, their constant, their safe place, and the first person they called no matter what life threw at them.

One of the things her children will miss most is calling Mom for every little thing—the good, the bad, something going on in their lives, or even something interesting happening on the police scanner page she loved listening to.

Mom didn’t measure life by what someone had, she measured it by the love they carried in their hearts.

Mom was the first person you called.

There is now a huge hole here on Earth, and nobody will ever fill her shoes.

Fly high, sweet Momma, with your heavenly angels—Dad, your parents, your brothers, your sister, and the countless friends who went before you.

We wish we could have seen the heavenly greeting when you saw Dad & your family again after all these years. We can only imagine the love and joy of that moment.

Mom, you lived simply, loved deeply, gave generously, and made everyone around you feel loved and proud.

You were the sweetest soul we will ever know.

We love you always and forever.

In Lieu of flowers and gifts, if anyone wants to donate to the Great Grandkids College Fund, my mother would truly cherish this. You can send any college donations to:

Ken Conard

377 Johnson Dr

Grants Pass, OR 97527

Until we meet again, … we will see you on the other side…