Barbara "Barb" Anne Conley

Barbara Anne Conley, 90, passed away on February 19, 2026, at Monument Home Health Plus Hospice House in Rapid City, SD.

Barb was born at home on November 24, 1935, to Rev. William G. and Lurline C. (Reynolds) Barr in Corsicana, TX. She graduated from Beaumont High School, Beaumont, TX, in 1953.

On December 28, 1955, she married Paul Henry Conley in Texarkana, TX. The couple set off on adventures around the United States, courtesy of Paul's military service. They were stationed in Texas for a time, allowing Barb to pursue her passion for nursing. Following in her mother's footsteps, Barb began nurse's training in 1958 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in San Antonio, TX. She graduated in May of 1960 with a nursing diploma. She then received her certificate from the Board of Nursing Examiners in Texas, granting her the title of Registered Nurse.

Traveling from coast to coast and raising two daughters while her husband served in the military left little time to pursue her nursing career. Still, Barb enjoyed the time at home with her family. Pogo the beagle helped her take care of the young girls and became the family protector while Paul was away.

In 1971, the family was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City, SD, where Paul retired from the military, and that last stop became home. At long last, Barb was able to pursue her nursing career, landing a job at St. John's McNamara Hospital in 1972. The hospital was only two blocks from home, and Barb worked the night shift on the surgical floor, allowing her to spend the days at home with her girls.

In 1979, St. John's merged with Bennett-Clarkson Hospital, and Rapid City Regional Hospital was formed. Barb continued her nursing career there, eventually becoming an Infection Control Nurse for the hospital. She enjoyed learning and implementing all the safety protocols to keep both caretakers and patients safe. Her daughters remember plenty of lectures on handwashing and how to keep germs at bay!

Barb left Rapid City Regional Hospital in 1989 to accept a job with the South Dakota Department of Health as a Communicable Disease Specialist. She attended numerous seminars and workshops to stay up to date on the latest protocols and procedures for patient safety. She enjoyed this work immensely, and the bookshelves at home were lined with books on the latest medical technology and disease prevention.

Barb hung up her nursing cap at the end of 1997, finally retiring and taking some time to travel with Paul and, oftentimes, her grandson, Michael. Her dog, Junior, was her constant companion, and she spoiled him rotten.

Grateful for having shared her life are her daughters, Kathy Cox, Black Hawk, SD, and Karen (Todd Goetz) Conley, Box Elder, SD; and her grandchildren, Michael Goetz, Box Elder, SD, and Rachel Cox, Memphis, TN. Barb was preceded in death by her husband, Paul H. Conley; her infant son, Robert Paul Conley; her brother, William G. Barr; and her parents, Rev. William G. and Lurline Barr.

The family would also like to thank Barb's angel caregivers from Signal Health Group. Their dedication and compassion to her care and well-being gave much peace of mind in her final years.

Visitation will be from 9:30 – 10:30am and Funeral Service & West River Nurse Honor Guard Service will be at 10:30 all at Canyon Lake United Methodist Church, Wed. Feb. 25.

Burial will be 12:30 pm at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.

Arrangements by www.osheimschmidt.com