William Edward "Bill" Conlan

William Edward “Bill” Conlan, 93, passed away on April 29, 2025, in Albert Lea, Minnesota. Born on February 29, 1932, in Rochester, Minnesota, Bill lived a vibrant and full life marked by entrepreneurial spirit, boundless energy, and an unmatched gift for storytelling.

Bill graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1950 and later earned his Certified Life Underwriter Certificate from the University of Minnesota. His professional journey began early – at just 11 years old working on a fur farm. By age 17, he was already making his mark at Skinner Chamberlin (1949-1955), where he began honing the skills that would define his career.

Bill was married to Marvyl Sorensen in 1950 and they had two children: Amy 1952; Brian 1954. They were later divorced.

In 1955, Bill founded Conlan Financial Incorporated and led the company until his retirement in 1993. He was the youngest agent ever hired by Northwestern National Life of Minneapolis and quickly rose to prominence as a multimillion-dollar producer. His natural charisma and tireless work ethic made him a standout in the insurance industry. Even after retiring from financial services, Bill continued to thrive professionally – retiring once more at age 76 as the top salesman in used car sales.

A born salesman who never met a stranger, Bill had an enduring love for cars and anything with wheels. Over his lifetime, he owned more than 80 vehicles – a testament to both his passion and his ever-curious nature. He delighted in sharing stories from his life’s adventures; whether you were hearing them for the first time or the tenth, they always came alive with humor and heart.

Bill once wrote of himself: “As the first child in my family and the first grandchild born to a mountain of children born of a high production father… I started out being loved and accepted by all the open arms of my clan. I cherished those early days exploring simple surroundings and getting dirty – an adventurous spirit that stayed with me throughout my life.”

He is survived by his beloved wife Mischa; daughter Amy Jordan; son Brian (Erica); stepchildren Nancy (Scott) Martin and Mike Moran; grandchildren Jacob (Marta) Jordan, Alex Bartlett, Mara Conlan, Rachel (Chad) Thomas, Joshua (Jenny) Martin, and Will (Anna) Martin; great-grandchildren Julia, Dillon, Connor, Charlie, and Malcolm; sisters Bette Aufenthie, Judy Clarey, Pamela (Mike) Sullivan; brother John (Kay) Conlan, and numerous other cherished brothers and sisters; sisters-in-law Dorothy Conlan and Loree Olson; brother-in-law Steve (Sue) Hendrickson; nephews David Conlan, Clair DeVries, Kim DeVries, Lee DeVries; niece Robin DeVries; along with numerous other loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents William Conlan and Eileen Conlan; brothers David and Tom; nephew Dan Conlan; and other cherished family members.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 12, 2025, at First Lutheran Church located at 301 West Clark Street in Albert Lea, Minnesota. The service will begin at 11:00 am with visitation an hour preceding the service.

The family wishes to thank Mayo Hospice, especially Jenny; Cassie; Laura; Evan and Loren for their seven months of loving care.

Bill has donated his body to the Mayo Clinic.

Bill’s legacy lives on through the many lives he touched – with a handshake or a story – and through the enduring love of his family. May his memory bring comfort to all who knew him.