Dean Conrad

Dean Lewis Conrad of Bismarck, 80, died March 24, 2024 following surgery to correct a major brain bleed.  

A celebration of his life will take place at 11:00 AM, Saturday, May 11, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck.

Dean was born March 25, 1943, the middle son of Gaylord and Abigail (Roan) Conrad.  Dean’s parents were killed in a traffic accident when he was 10.  Dean and his brothers were raised by their paternal grandparents.  Dean left Bismarck in 10th grade to pursue his education, first for high school in Illinois, then college in Pennsylvania, and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.  After completing his formal education, Dean spent two years on a Peace Corps assignment in Brazil.

Dean married Pat Ryan of Cincinnati in 1970.  The couple settled in Bismarck where daughter Shannon and son Ryan were born.  Dean’s career focused on financial management in both state government and the private sector.  He also managed a large real estate portfolio.

The Conrad family hosted 8 foreign exchange students from 1983 to 1996, whom they invited back to Bismarck this past summer.  In retirement Dean was an active volunteer supporting refugees coming into the Bismarck community.  Dean and Pat were fortunate enough to enjoy many years of independently traveling the world, typically using the Lonely Planet books as their guides.

Dean is survived by his wife Pat, his daughter Shannon Conrad (Brian Juckeland) and their two children Kieran and Raina, his son Ryan, and brother Kent Conrad (Lucy Calautti), and numerous cousins.  He was predeceased by his parents Gaylord and Abigail Conrad, and his brother Roan Conrad.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation in Dean’s memory to the Missouri Valley Chamber Orchestra, PO Box 252, Bismarck 58502; the Bismarck Mandan Symphony Orchestra, 215 North 6th Street, Bismarck 58501; Prairie Public Radio, 1814 North 15th Street, Bismarck 58501; or to a charity of your choice.

A live stream of the service will be posted to the on-line obituary at www.Parkwayfuneral.com where you can read the full obituary, sign the guest book, and share memories with the family.