Delores McConkey, 95

Dolores Reese Mattheis McConkey was born in Graceton, Minn., on Nov. 10, 1929. She was the oldest of seven children born to Allen and Leola Reese.

Her family moved to Streeter, N.D., to help her grandfather on his farm. She graduated from high school in Streeter as valedictorian and earned three doctorates in college. She was chosen as one of 40 teachers in the United States to set up a national math curriculum. She was honored with the Outstanding Educators Award when she received her master's degree. She taught school in North Dakota for 24 years and in Montana for 26 years, receiving 22 awards for Who’s Who in American Teachers.

Dolores married Robert Mattheis in 1950. They were blessed with one daughter, Patricia, and were honored to foster a son, Arthur Anderson, for close to five years. They moved to Montana in 1970. Robert passed away in 1989. In 1996, she married Royal McConkey. Royal passed away in 2001.

Dolores was a very active member of the Lutheran Church in all the places she lived, serving as a Sunday and Bible school teacher and Financial Secretary in several of them.

Dolores passed away from natural causes Aug. 21, 2025. 

She is survived by her daughter, Patricia and husband Ronald Haviland, three grandsons, Bryon, Shane and Eric: four great-granddaughters, Hailee, Ashley, Kheley, and Jordan; and three great-grandsons, Nickolas, Jarrod and Cameron; three great-great-grandchildren, Ariel, Jackson and Benson; one sister, Rose Wilson, and one brother, Lyle Reese, several nieces and nephews and stepchildren and their families.

Dolores was preceded in death by her parents, Allen and Leola Reese; husbands Robert and Royal; brothers Leroy and Donald Reese and sisters Judith Williams and LillieAnn Anderson.

Funeral Service at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Rathdrum will be announced.

Bell Tower Funeral Home is entrusted with Delores' care.