Nola Mae Conner was born Jan. 8, 1919, in Taylor, Idaho, the oldest of four children to Herchel and Mae Clark Arave. She attended the nearby country school in Taylor through eighth grade and graduated in 1938 from Bonneville High School in Idaho Falls. Nola married Lyle Longhurst and they moved to Coulee Dam, Wash., where her daughter, Linda Joy, was born. She and Lyle later divorced.

While working for the Bureau of Reclamation at Grand Coulee Dam, Nola met R. Jay Conner, who was employed at the dam as an electrician. Jay was a great dancer and virtually danced his way right into her heart. They were married May 16, 1948, in Coeur d'Alene. They lived in Coulee City, Coulee Dam, and then followed construction to the Tri-Cities. In January of 1950 they moved to Lewiston, purchased land and built a home in the Lewiston Orchards, where they raised two daughters and resided for more than 60 years.

Nola was a homemaker and bookkeeper for her husband's electrical business and enjoyed sewing, flower arranging and crafts. Jay and Nola were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and were well-known for their love of dance. They enjoyed square and round dancing with the Twin City Twirlers and teaching groups of all ages the art of ballroom dance as well as how to "rock and roll." They enjoyed camping with their camping club as well as many travels in their motor home throughout the years.

In 2009, Jay and Nola moved to Royal Plaza, where they enjoyed many friendships, new and old. They even took part in the "Senior Ball" held at the Royal Plaza and were shown dancing together on KLEW news. They later moved to Guardian Angel Homes, where Jay passed away in August of 2012.

Nola died Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013, at the age of 94 at Guardian Angel Homes. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jay; parents; infant brother Allen, brother Quinn Arave and wife Byrle; daughter Linda; and brother-in-law Don Carden. She is survived by daughters Vickie and Ben Weber and Pam and Mike Williams; grandchildren Cory and Marlo Lorentz, Stacie Badertscher (Katie, Kylie, Kristian, Kassidy), Kevin and Sarah Lorentz (Mara and step-great-grandchildren Jacie, Taran, and Alec Smith), and Kelli Bloom (Isaiah, Elijah), all of Lewiston, and Sherri Bloom (Lyra) of Coeur d'Alene. Her sister, Donna Carden, also survives in Lakewood, Wash. She also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews.

Graveside services and burial took place at the Taylor Cemetery near Idaho Falls. The family plans to hold a celebration of life at a later date.