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It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Douglas (Doug) Conkling on January 9, 2024, at his home in Herman, Nebraska. He was born in Omaha, Nebraska on March 16, 1947, the middle child of Alvin Conkling, Sr. and Pauline Bradford Conkling. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother Craig Conkling, and his beloved wife Gayle Spiker Conkling.

He is survived by his brother Alvin (Dick) Conkling (Pam), Badger, Iowa; his son from his first marriage, Patrick Dostal (Irene), Jacksonville, North Carolina; his daughters from his second marriage, Alissa Conkling Gorgone (Anthony), Smithfield, Virginia; Beth Conkling, Suffolk, Virginia; and his daughter with Gayle, Kristi Conkling Gillett (Trevor), Omaha, Nebraska. He is also survived by his loving grandchildren Ashley Dostal, Justin Dostal, Ava Gorgone, Aryanna Sanchez-Gillett, Michaelynn Sanchez-Gillett, and two granddogs Boyd and Daisy.

Doug graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Council Bluffs, Iowa in 1965 and then went to work for his Dad in the family business – Conkling Heating and Air. Doug dabbled in various trades, but he would ultimately follow in his Dad’s footsteps doing commercial sheet metal and HVAC work for the last 40+ years. Doug held many professional certifications and was considered an expert in his field, often approached by local colleges to bring his knowledge to the classroom. The latter 30+ years, Doug worked mostly in Lincoln, Nebraska and took pride in the work he did at hospitals, the University of Nebraska, and most recently the Lincoln airport.

He married the love of his life, Gayle Spiker Conkling, on December 30, 1987, and they lived in the Blair/Tekamah/Herman area. When Gayle was struck with an aggressive form of Multiple Sclerosis in 1997, Doug became a devoted caregiver until her death on August 31, 2023. Doug had since struggled with his grief of losing Gayle, and the family takes solace in knowing that the two of them are dancing together in heaven.

Doug never knew a stranger and would strike up a conversation with anyone. It was not rare for him to learn the life story of everyone around him on a 2-hour airplane ride. In his spare time, Doug enjoyed fishing and ATV repair.

A memorial gathering will be held Thursday, January 18, 2024, from 3:00 to 6:00PM at Campbell Aman Funeral Home in Blair. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.

#2 Published by Omaha World-Herald on Jan. 17, 2024.

Conkling, Douglas

March 16, 1947 - January 9, 2024

MEMORIAL GATHERING will be held Thursday, January 18th, from 3 to 6 p.m., at Campbell Aman Funeral Home, in Blair, NE.

Campbell Aman Funeral Home 444 S. 17th St., Blair

#3 Funeral leaflet

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In Loving Memory of Douglas Allen Conkling

Born March 16, 1947 Omaha, Nebraska ~ Entered Into Rest January 9, 2024 Herman, Nebraska

Memorial Visitation 3-6pm Thursday, January 18, 2024 Campbell Aman Funeral Home, Blair, Nebraska

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #263043450