Michael James Conner Jr was born December 2nd, 1980 to Rhonda and Michael Conner Sr. in Des Moines, IA. He was raised in the country in Prole, IA with his Grandparents Jack and Carolyn living just down the lane, and enjoyed a very happy and loving childhood. From 8 weeks old, his Great Grandparents, Robert and Cleo Morrison provided daycare and proved to be very informative in his early years. As he grew up, Michael spent time with his Uncle Randy, Uncle Rob, Grandpa Tub, Uncle Clarence and Uncle Jake, spending time on the farm, playing checkers, fishing, and watching Bonanza.
On July 18th,1984 Michael's little brother and very best friend Matthew was born. The two shared a very special bond along with much love and goofy antics and hijinks, so many of which remain untold.
Michael attended Martensdale St. Mary's School District, kindergarten through 12th grade. During his elementary school days, Michael developed friendships through Cub Scouts and Little League Ball. Some of his special friends include Aaron Rutledge, Chris Pritchard, Greg Spick, Grant Crow, Steven Bruere, and "Nephew Sam" Pitt, among many others. While in school, he was very active in Baseball, Basketball, Chorus/ Vocal Contests and Drama; He had aspirations of becoming the next John Belushi or Chris Farley; like them, he is gone way too soon. His first performance was in kindergarten, when he was picked to play Frosty the Snowman, and developed his first and only case of stage fright, hiding behind the milk cooler in his classroom. Later on, Football, Golf, Odyssey of the Mind, Speech Club, Track, Variety Show and Young Writers Conference played a big part in shaping Michael into the man we all know and love, along with special friends including Jeff Krantz, Gina (Tielebein) Rodgers, Joe McConkey, Justin Courtney, Theresa Caliguiri and his brother Matt.
Music was always a passion for Michael, from listening to Bob Seger as Rhonda cleaned the house, to sneaking into Uncle Randy's room to listen to his collection of Van Halen and ACDC on his state-of-the-art audio equipment. He always spread his love of music to anyone that would listen; Nephew Sam got Black Sabbath. Later in life, Marson got Glen Campbell. At 15, he attended his first rock concert, Metallica. That was just the beginning ofhis love for music and long list of concerts he would attend.
As an adult, Michael always looked forward to deer hunting with his dad, brother, uncles, and cousins. He loved family gatherings and would always make time to play with the kids. At Christmas, you would often find him on the floor with the trucks, guns and action figures!Michael was a man of many talents, including cooking, BBQ and smoking meat. He talked of entering the Iowa State Fair cooking competition often, as he loved going to the Fair. He recently re-learned how to pressure can mushrooms and other items. He loved providing for his family with a satisfying home-cooked meal, which was good, because Logan has confessed, she was never really a cook!
Michael's first son, Jordan Thomas, was born on July 7, 2003. His second son, Marston Michael was born June 29, 2011. Michael adored the fact he taught Marston how to fish, and they loved doing that together at Grandpa Mike's, the Des Moines River or anywhere they could drop a line.
Michael married Logan Spangler December 28, 2020. They raised their family in Knoxville, IA and Michael became a step-father to Logan's son Isaac. Isaac remembers they went fishing once and Michael gave him his first cigar! Grandson Kingstan is on the way, and Michael was excited to be a grandpa!
Like a true Conner, Michael and Marston, along with Logan, would mushroom hunt, and they wouldn't quit until their arms couldn't carry any more. He always took Marston on an annual trip to Adventureland for his birthday. They played Pokemon Go together, spending hours out walking or driving around to many gyms to battle the Big Ones; or Saturdays catching as many Shineys as they could during Community Day. When a new Marvel movie came out, you would find them at the theater. As a family they traveled to Florida and Okoboji, and simply enjoyed each other’s company.
Things that will be remembered about Michael could fill a book. He was loved by so many, and will truly be missed.
Michael James Conner Jr. passed away Monday, July 25, 2022 in Iowa City. Visitation, with family present, will be held 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, August 4, 2022, at the Indianola First Baptist Church. Inurnment of cremains will be held at a later date in the Linn Grove Cemetery, Norwalk, IA.
