Conrad A. Favor

Conrad A. Favor, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at Aspirus Plover Hospital after a sudden health emergency at the age of 90. His eldest daughter and her family were at his side.

Conrad was born in the midst of the Great Depression on February 24, 1935, in Viroqua, WI, to DeVere and Vera (Coleman) Favor. They moved to Detroit, MI, in 1938 at the start of WWII, and in 1945, his parents, along with sister Yvonne, moved back to WI. Conrad’s grandparents, and later his parents, owned and operated a small country store in Brush Hollow, WI, just outside of Viroqua. These were the happiest days of Conrad’s childhood. Conrad was an excellent student and graduated from middle school in 1950, from a one-room schoolhouse.

Conrad was a star athlete in high school, participating in track and field, football, and boxing. On his father's insistence, Conrad joined the Naval Reserve as a senior in high school. He went directly into active duty in the Navy in 1954 during the Korean War (Conflict) and the Cold War. He served on the USS ARD-14 in Florida, where he was recruited to box for the US Navy from 1954-1956 and won the Golden Gloves in Jacksonville. He served as a journalist aboard a heavy cruiser operating in the Atlantic. He also served on the USS Conecuh, USS Macon, and USS SeaCat. He was released from active duty in 1956 and honorably discharged in 1960. He continued to advocate for veterans while being a member of the American Legion.

In 1956, Conrad enrolled at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, where he met the love of his life, Rachel Ann Skundberg. In 1957, the couple moved to Milwaukee, and Conrad transferred to the Layton School of Art and Design, while Rachel transferred to the Milwaukee County School of Nursing. Conrad and Rachel were married on August 22, 1959, in the Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church. Soon after, they moved to Stevens Point, WI, where their first home was a small, cold trailer in a Park Ridge trailer park.

Conrad dedicated over 36 years of his professional life as Art Director and Purchasing Manager at Sentry Insurance in Stevens Point. Conrad began his career in spring of 1962, just months before his son, Daniel, was to be born. When the Sentry World Headquarters opened its new building at 1800 Northpoint Drive in 1977, Conrad proudly directed the graphic and architectural signage projects for the new multi-million dollar building and grounds. Sentry Insurance was a huge part of Conrad’s life; he was an integral part of his department, but most importantly, he made lifelong friends.

The Favors had a family of four children and raised them in a very loving home, just a few blocks away from Iverson Park, in the village of Park Ridge. Everyone in the neighborhood could hear–and respected–Conrad’s distinct whistle, and we four kids understood this meant we had better be home for dinner now! Conrad was extremely kind and very willing to help others. He was always the first to volunteer, especially with his kids' and home projects. He remained extremely physically fit all his life and was always the first to climb the highest and move the fastest to help everyone. His four children learned perseverance and drive through his direct examples daily.

Conrad gave a lot back to the community. He volunteered for the Park Ridge Fire Department and was promoted to Lieutenant. He volunteered for the Red Cross as a first aid and CPR instructor, and during his retirement years, he transported blood throughout Wisconsin in times of need. He was devoted to Trinity Lutheran Church and made sure his children were raised to understand the importance of faith.

Conrad was driven to succeed in everything he did and showed that through his service and leadership as a ski patroller at Standing Rocks and Rib Mountain (Granite Peak) ski areas since 1962. He was a senior-level ski and toboggan regional evaluator, a section chief, and a regional director. He received his National Ski Patrol appointment in 1970.

In addition to his affinity for skiing and helping others, Conrad loved sailing, camping, running, biking, fishing, hunting, and, especially, taking care of his yard. Conrad was a passionate UW-Stevens Point basketball and football fan and an avid runner. Not only did he inspire and teach his kids to sail, ski, and participate in many other activities, he also showed them how to race with joy, courage, strength, and passion. His enthusiasm was obvious to all, especially when cheering for his children in sports. He volunteered with the Stevens Point Area Running Club (SPARC) and found great joy supporting his 2 youngest daughters to race. The family made many wonderful memories while taking road trips across the country in an orange Volkswagen van, affectionately named “Orange Crate.”

Conrad and Rachel enjoyed being involved with The Sons of Norway, and made many friends. However, what Conrad was most passionate about was his wife Rachel, children, and grandchildren. He was a role model, fun to be around, and always a positive influence. He loved to dance, especially with Rachel and his daughters.

Conrad and Rachel celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary last summer. During their retirement years, they enjoyed traveling, especially to Europe. In their later years, they enjoyed going to the Winter Ice Caves on frozen Lake Superior. It was quite a hike on the icy drifted snow, but that didn’t stop them! They would walk to the ice caves, and on their way back to the car, Conrad would pull Rachel in an orange plastic sled. They had a very strong loving bond, and were role models in all facets of their life.

Conrad’s family motto was, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” His family continues to live by this sentiment and hopes his friends and others will embrace it, too.

Conrad is survived by his devoted, loving wife Rachel A. (Skundberg) Favor and their family: daughter Carrie (Robert “Bob”) Butt of Stevens Point, WI, daughter Kristine “Kris” (Adam) Payne of Plymouth WI, daughter Suzanne “Suzy” (John) Favor of Thousand Oaks, CA. Also mourning are his cherished grandchildren: Erik (Carly) Butt, Forrest (Courtney) Payne, Rachel (Jake) Grosenick, Ari (Brittany) Bault, Abby (Mike) Daly, and Kylie Favor Hamilton, along with great-grandchildren: Emalin, Jett, Hollan, Sophie, and Jayce. Also surviving are Conrad’s sister Yvonne Halvorson of Stevens Point, WI, sister-in-law Cheryl (Jim) Thompson of Goose Creek, SC, nephews Chad Emerson, Mark Halvorson, and nieces Anne Haugland, Sara Koehler, Kari Franz and Michelle Emerson.

Conrad was preceded in death by his cherished son Daniel Favor, nephew Steven Halvorson, brother-in-law Gary, sister-in-law Mary Skundberg, and his parents.

A celebration of life will be held at a future date. Shuda Funeral Home and Trinity Lutheran Church will be assisting with the arrangements.