Don and Marian Conway

Don & Marian Conway

Donald Vincent Conway and Marian Francis Tietz Conway of Middleton, Wisconsin passed away peacefully in their home, just days apart. Don passed on January 7, 2025, his 98th birthday. And Marian passed on February 4, 2025 a few days after her 96th birthday.

Don was born to Vincent and Anne (Nawa) Conway on January 7, 1927 in Madison, Wisconsin. She was born to Thomas and Katherine (Putzier) Tietz on January 30, 1929 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Don and Marian both attended the University of Wisconsin. Don graduated in 1949 (after his service in the Army Air Force from 1944 to 1945), and Marian graduated in 1950. The college sweethearts were married on December 15, 1951, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Don had a long, distinguished career with Ray-O-Vac Batteries which started in 1949. He was the Executive Vice-President of Marketing in the International division. He oversaw the building and running of battery factories in 22 countries. He retired in 1981 from Ray-O-Vac. He then became CEO of the Columbia Vehicle Company that makes Columbia Golf Carts, combining his passion for golf and business. In 1985, he retired, and they moved to Tucson, Arizona.

Don was very passionate about golf. He started playing golf before he was 10 years old. He was on the University of Wisconsin Varsity team for 3 years. He was a proud member of several prestigious golf clubs, namely, Maple Bluff (Wisconsin), Sunningdale (England), Aronimink (in Pennsylvania), Ventana and The Gallery (Arizona). Don enjoyed a single digit handicap throughout his life and shot his age at 82!

Marian who majored in Business and Economics was an intellectual who loved to learn and grow in all ways.

She enjoyed challenging her mind, whether it was from playing bridge, mahjong, solving jig-saw puzzles, NY Times Cross-word puzzles, Wordle or just learning new things. She took pottery classes, art classes and even golf lessons. Marian excelled in everything she did. In 2011 she achieved the Bronze Life Master in Bridge, and she had a couple of "hole-in-ones" in golf.

Marian loved to entertain and hosted many parties for Don's business associates and their spouses. She was an excellent cook.

At 96, she was still managing her own finances, and she maintained her mental acuity right to the end of her life.

Don and Marian had a beautiful and adventurous life together. They travelled the world, just to name a few, Hong Kong, China, Japan, to Egypt, Iran, Morrocco, South Africa, Scotland, Hungary, Ireland, England and even Malaysia. From their world travels, Marian learned to appreciate oriental arts and developed a taste for international cuisines.

Don and Marian celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary in December of 2024. They lived a wonderful life together and through it all, they had fun!

They are survived by their sons, David (Lucy) of Kailua, HI, and Peter (Mari) of Lena, IL, grandchildren, Elise (Tim) Rittenhouse, Steven (fiancé' Rene Firsing) Conway, and David Conway. They are also survived by sister-in-law, Ella Tietz, of Burnet, TX.

Don's sister and brother-in-law, Eileen and John Tennant, predeceased him. Marian's brother, Tom Tietz, predeceased her.

Cremation rites were accorded. At their request, no services will be held.