March 25, 1938 – January 12, 2026
Coral Annette Conklin, 87, of Mason City, Iowa passed away peacefully in her home January 12, 2026 surrounded by her loved ones.
A memorial service will be held 2:00pm Thursday, January 15, 2026 with Pastor Lumiere Kapend officiating at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapels, 126 3rd St. NE, Mason City. She will be laid to rest in Rock Falls Cemetery. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Coral was born March 25, 1938 in Mason City, daughter of Aaron Charles and Helen Francis (Downing) Elsbury. She graduated from Rock Falls High School and later went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree as well as her Master’s degree in Education. For many years she taught at Madison Schools in Mason City. Coral met the love of her life, Dean Conklin at a driving range. Her golf skills were always top notch and after a while the two started going steady. Not wanting her sister to find out at first, they met for their dates at Basha’s Grocery Store. They were united in marriage October 8, 2004 at the Presbyterian Church in Mason City. They shared 21 wonderful years together.
Coral loved dancing and golf. She and Dean spent many afternoons on the golf course and many nights out dancing at the Legion club or Elk’s Lodge. She had a big heart, playing an impactful role as a sweet, kind, and loving woman in the lives of all who knew her. Coral was brilliant, easily solving many crossword puzzles over coffee each morning and playing bridge amongst friends. Her kindness knew no bounds and she was more than ready to mediate between folks if she thought they were being too hasty to judge. Over the years she painted many beautiful works of art. Coral’s home was incomplete without her cats, whom she loved dearly.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Dean; sister, Thelma Harris; brother, Clair (Deanna) Elsbury; nieces and nephews, Sandra Lee, Curtis Harris, Linda Reed, Victor Schlough Jr., Joel Elsbury, Michelle Cummings, Amy Milligan, and Allison Martin; numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews; as well as friends and extended family.
Preceding her in death are her parents, Aaron and Helen; sister Geraldine (Victor) Schlough; nephew, Timothy Elsbury; and brother-in-law, Richard Harris.
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