Jeffrey "Jeff" Wayne Conn

Jeffrey “Jeff” Wayne Conn, 60, of Newton died on Saturday, August 12, 2023. A celebration of Jeff’s life will be held from 4-7 p.m., Sunday, August 20, 2023, at Okoboji Bar and Grill in Newton. At 7 p.m., a time of remembrance and a toast will be held in the bar area. For those that cannot go on Sunday, please stop out to Okoboji on Friday or Saturday to sign the register book.  Memorials to the John Stoddard Cancer Center may be left at the celebration of life or at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory.

Jeff, the son of Cornie and Sandra (Tratchel) Conn, was born on March 12, 1963 in Newton. He grew up in Newton and graduated from Newton High School in 1981. Starting at the age of 14, Jeff began his career in food service working at Henry’s Hamburgers, Ken’s Pizza, and the Terrace Inn. He later worked at Hesse’s Clothing Store in downtown Newton. On August 6, 1988, Jeff was united in marriage with Judy Kono Halter in their backyard in Newton. Jeff then worked at Maytag for several years.  With the impending closure of Maytag, Jeff began dreaming about owning his own restaurant.  On September 28, 2004, after many sleepless nights of excitement and endless hard work and determination that dream became a reality with the opening of Okoboji Bar and Grill in Newton. He was the heart of soul of the restaurant and staff and regulars would all be proud to include themselves in Jeff’s “Boji Family”.

Although restaurant hours make it hard to do a lot else, Jeff did serve on the Newton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors from 2006-2009.  He also had a life-long love of horses and his dogs, Zach, Jake, and Cooper.  In rare moments of free time, Jeff enjoyed yard work, gardening, and meticulously remodeling the homes he and Judy lived in.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Judy Conn of Newton; mother, Sandra Conn of Newton; step-son, Chad Halter of Newton; his sister, Cindy Bruns of Kellogg; and nieces and nephews, Danny Atwood, Christy (Terry) Housley, Andy Atwood (Allison Meyer), and Amy (Bryan) Etter and their families. He is also survived by his godchildren, Kelly Howard and John Howard; “granddaughter”, Olivia Rausch; and his entire Boji Family. He was preceded in death by his father and step-son, Scott Halter.

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