Conrad Jacob Niergarth

Conrad Jacob Niergarth, age 85, passed on to a better place on Jan. 6, 2023 at his home, surrounded by family and his dog, Ranger. Con was born on Aug. 6, 1937 in Flint, MI and graduated from Flint Central High School. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1955, and after an honorable discharge, married his only real girlfriend, Joyce Kincaid, in 1959. He is survived by his wife Joyce, children Dr. Steve Niergarth (Lisa) of Cedar and Paula Parshall (Doug) of Traverse City, as well as his sister Joell Newton. He also leaves behind five grandchildren, Nick Niergarth, Natalie Niergarth, Jake Niergarth, Bryan Parshall, and Corey Parshall, as well as twelve great-grandchildren.

In 1959, Con took his first meaningful job as branch manager of a First Federal Savings and Loan office in Flint. After surviving four armed bank robberies, he moved his family to Traverse City, knowing it would be a better place to live and achieve a longer life expectancy. Con joined Northwestern Savings and Loan in Traverse City and became Senior Vice President, before leaving to open American Mortgage Services in 1981. He established offices in Michigan, Arizona, Florida and South Carolina, specializing in resort and condominium development. One of his proudest achievements was his company providing all of the financing for Grand Traverse Resort hotel, along with some if its golf courses and condominium developments.

Following the impact of tax law changes in 1986, Con decided to shift gears and become a residential subdivision developer. Beginning in 1987, he developed Western Hills, Apple Ridge, and Woodside Hills subdivisions, all located in Leelanau County.

During his wintertime travels to Arizona, he met a Comanche Indian friend named Yellowsnake and in 1998, wrote his life story and had his book published in 2000 entitled, 'Yellowsnake, Son of Prophecy', which is still in publication. While wintering in Arizona, Con loved gold panning, prospecting, and treasure hunting.

Con's greatest recreational love was trout fishing at his son Steve's fishing camp in Ontario, Canada with his family and fishing buddies, knowing that his season would end all too soon.

Con and his wife Joyce loved their many Golden Retrievers, including their current one, Ranger, as members of the family.

The funeral service for Con will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 13, 2023 at Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth Street, Traverse City, MI 49684. There will be a time of visitation one hour prior to the service. Under the auspices of the United States Marines and Veteran's Honor Guard, full military honors will be presented.

Casual dress will be fine, as this is what Con would have wanted. Burial will be at Solon Township Cemetery, Cedar, MI

Memorial contributions may be made to Cherryland Humane Society, 1750 Ahlberg Road, Traverse City, MI 49696, online at https://cherrylandhumane.org/donate/ ; or to Moody Church Hour, 1635 N. LaSalle, Chicago, IL 60614.