Nan (Van Horn) Conley

Nan was born in Nobelville, Indiana on April 9, 1958. Being very athletic in high school, she played volleyball, basketball and tennis. She also played the flute and piccolo in the concert, marching, and symphonic band. Nan said she got her musical talent from her dad who had been a band director.

Nan spent 5 years working for the Hamilton, Indiana County Hwy. Dept. first as a flag person and then as a heavy equipment operator. Having developed an allergy to asphalt, she had to quit the job.

From a young age Nan had visited relatives in Orange County, California; so in June of ‘81 she decided to make a move. Upon arriving here she heard about a job at the PD writing parking tickets. She was hired as a part time PCO and worked for 3 years during which time she earned her AA degree.

One of her supervisors was Steve Van Horn. About a year after she came to work she attended a PD party in CdM. Steve, who was now working Narcotics, was at the party. Seems Steve had a bit too much to drink and since Nan lived near him, she volunteered to drive him home. Steve was separated from his wife at that time and was living with Dan Holub.

This ride home began a two year relationship that resulted in Nan and Steve getting married on November 10, 1984. It caused quite a buzz at the PD and of course everyone said it wouldn’t last.

Nan and Steve had two daughters–Jamie, born November 6, 1989 and Kelsey born October 28, 1992. Jamie is now attending college and Kelsey is planning to join the Marines and wants to eventually become a pilot.

Nan went full time PCO shortly after she and Steve were married.

Having always loved horses Nan and Steve enjoyed riding; so they bought a horse. Their good friends the Holubs and the Rivers saw how much fun they were having, and it wasn’t long before all three families had their own horses and went camping and horse back riding together many times.

In November, 1997, Steve passed away from injuries he received in ‘87 while working a chemical spill. Nan went back to school in 1990 and got her Bachelor’s degree in Social Science at Chapman College.

In June of 1998 Nan decided to move to Montana with her daughters. After visiting a good friend living in Livingston, Nan looked at several properties and decided to buy a home on 30 acres 7 miles from town. She then built a barn with guest cabins on the second floor where company can stay. She needed more land for her increasing horse herd– 9 horses, 3 from her mare and the rest donated and purchased–so she bought an additional 60 acres a stone’s throw from her house. She got a great deal on the acreage buying it for $150,000. The land is now worth approximately $900,000.

In 2002 Nan and Diane, a clinical therapist and friend, started a business called “Horse Medicine”– a non profit organization. Her program has been very successful in changing the lives of many students. She brings troubled kids and sometimes their parents to her ranch in the summer to work with the horses. The kids have to learn to work as a team and care for the horses. It is a great way for Nan to combine her love of horses and desire to help others.

In January of 2005 Nan began taking guitar lessons from a guy named Jimmy whose teaching was highly recommended. Jimmy soon learned that Nan played the flute and talked her into playing a gig with him at a local party. She played the party with him and that night became their first date.

On June 25, 2006 Nan and Jimmy exchanged wedding vows.

Jimmy teaches piano and guitar and can be coaxed into playing and singing some good old Irish songs. He also gets the piano hopping as he plays rock ‘n roll. They both enjoy the great outdoors together—including camping, canoeing and fishing.

Jimmy and Nan purchased a combined book and music store in May, 2007. Nan says they are thinking of selling the store so they can donate more time to their horses and outdoor life. However, having a store such as they do has some good benefits–they get to know the local neighborhood people, including Dennis Quaid, Jeff Bridges and Michael Keaton!

Prepared by Stan Bressler 5-10