Obituary for Peggy Konkle

Peggy Konkle, of Coarsegold, a pediatric nurse practitioner in the Neurology Clinic at Children's Hospital Central California, died on August 22 in Fresno. She was 60 years old.

Born in Dubuque, Iowa, Peggy went to high school in Hutchinson, Kansas where she was the first female mail carrier in the nearby town of Lyons. She graduated with a degree in history from Valparaiso University in Indiana in 1969 and in 1983 earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the same university. She later earned a Master’s Degree in Nursing from California State University. During 25 years of practice, Peggy won the respect and gratitude of many colleagues, patients and their families. She held positions as Director of Pediatrics of Porter Memorial Hospital (Valparaiso,IN), Pediatric Intensive Care nurse and Pediatric Neurology Nurse Practitioner. She was recently voted into the Nursing Hall of Fame.

Peggy spent much of her life as a single mother raising her daughter Karin. She worked very hard to support herself and her daughter, and she taught her daughter the importance of self-reliance, courage and compassion. These lessons were imparted with stories about relatives and the value of family history. She was an avid gardener and quilter. Peggy was an enthusiastic participant in Habitat for Humanity. She learned building skills and the importance of community. She was also a strong advocate for health care for all but especially for children. She served two terms as the President of NAPNAP, a professional organization for nurse practitioners. The local NAPNAP organization recently voted to implement the “Peggy Konkle Honorary Scholarship”, in recognition of all Peggy has done for the local chapter.

Peggy battled cancer for six years. She lived two years longer than the most optimistic expectations of the professionals treating her. The quality of those years was remarkable. She remained active and engaged. She spent a great deal of time with her daughter and two young granddaughters. She conveyed to them a tremendous love of life and the importance of learning the skills to engage in many practical and productive activities.

A member of the American Lung Association, ACLU, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno, and many professional nursing organizations, Peggy loved being part of the natural web of existence. Quiet and kind, she embodied a down to earth love and caring that will be remembered by all who knew her. She is survived by her mother Lucia Adam, brother Marvin Adam, her sister Irene Adam Woods, her daughter Karin Livingstone, son-in-law Andrew Livingstone and granddaughters, Hannah and Emma Livingstone. She is preceded in death by her father, Valentine Adam.

A memorial service for Peggy will be held Saturday September 5, 2009 at 2 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Church – 2672 E. Alluvial Ave. (btw. Chestnut and Willow) - Clovis, CA 93611. Donations in Peggy Konkle’s honor may be made to the Building Fund of the church.