Nelda L. (Riggin) Conkwright-Anania , 90, passed away September 9, 2009, at Hillview Health Care Center in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. She was born September 11, 1918, in Greenville, Illinois, to Curtis M. and Edna Pearl (Hawley) Riggin, their first born of three daughters. She and her sisters were all 22 months apart and very close, so much so that a neighbor referred to them as "the three peas in a pod". They were always together and laughter followed wherever they went. During her early childhood, she and her sisters began singing for church programs. As they grew into their teen years, they entertained for various civic events and became known as The Riggin Sisters. They were invited to sing on WLS radio out of Chicago and had their own radio program on WDZ radio broadcast from Vandalia, Illinois. Their appearances always ended with their theme song, "I'm Looking Over A Four Leaf Clover". She was a charter member of the VFW Auxiliary Post #1377 in Greenville, having joined in 1936, and served as secretary of that organization. She maintained her membership until her death. She graduated from Greenville High School in 1937. Following graduation, she worked for Dr. K.B. Luzader as a receptionist, secretary, and assistant. She met her husband, Courtland E. (Buster) Conkwright, two years later while he was working in Bond County doing government geological surveys. They were married August 26, 1939, by her uncle Rev. A.D. Hawley. Their first child, a son, Courtland Curtis, was born a year later. In 1941, Buster's work with Stone and Webster Construction took them to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he worked on the construction of munitions plants during World War II and did undercover work for the government. They moved to Champaign, Illinois, in 1943. It was there that their second child, Sandra Rae, was born. During that time they owned a paint contracting business and a small restaurant and candy store on West Church Street in Champaign known as Conky's. They were married nearly 46 years when Buster passed away on April 3, 1985. Nelda's careers encompassed work as a police matron for the Champaign Police Department, a cashier at Robeson's Department Store, a secretary at Illiana Teacher's Service, and a medical secretary at Christie Clinic in the radiology department. She retired from Christie Clinic in 1981 after 27 years of service. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Champaign. She also belonged to DAR, Champaign County Medical Assistants Association and was a precinct committee woman for the Republican Party. Nelda was actively involved in Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, was a lifetime member of that organization and held many offices including President of the sorority's City Council. She received the highest degree in Beta Sigma Phi and was once honored as Woman of the Year. In 1987, she moved to LaCrosse, Wisconsin. She loved being able to be active in the lives of her family, attending her granddaughter's high school and college events and meeting new friends through them, as well as Bible Study Fellowship and her church. Nelda enjoyed crocheting, photography, keeping scrapbooks and albums, genealogy, walking and playing Scrabble with her friends. She loved traveling to St. Louis to see her son and family and spending time in Hayward, Wisconsin, with her family. Family and her faith were the most important things in her life. Nelda married Salvatore Anania in 1997. They were active members of River of Life Assembly of God Church and enjoyed their many friends from church, Carroll Heights and Hillview Health Care Center. He preceded her in death on November 10, 2006. She is survived by her children, Courtland (Candace)Conkwright of St. Louis, Mo, Sandra (Dr. Stephen) of LaCrosse, Wi, and 9 step children. Nelda was very proud of her grandchildren, Lesly (Mark) Czajkowski of O'Fallon, Mo, Michelle (Jason) Hurt of Lawrenceville, Ga, Jamie (Andrew) Dahl of LaCrosse, Wi, Ryan (Jennifer) Conkwright of St. Peters, Mo. and her four great grandchildren, Jordan Czajowski, Riley Rae and Gavin Hurt, and Lauren Dahl. She is also survived by her sister, Mildred Franklin, of Edwardsville, Il, Jack Conkwright of Lake Norman, NC, 6 step grandchildren, 2 step great grandchildren, 11 nieces and nephews, special friends, Florence Ebert and Sara Bean. She was preceded in death by her husbands, her parents, her sister and brother-in-law, Lella and Peyton Davis, her brother-in-law, Charles Franklin and a niece, Judy Davis. A funeral service will be held at Renner-Wikoff Funeral Chapel in Urbana, Il on Wednesday, September 16th at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Champaign, Il. Visitation will be held Tuesday at the funeral chapel from 6 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services. A memorial service will be held in LaCrosse on Thursday, September 17th at Hillview Health Care Center 3501 Park Lane Drive at 6:30 p.m. Memorials may be given to Hillview. Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.