Obituary for Lauretta E McConnell
Lauretta E. McConnell, 82, of Broadwater, went to meet the Lord Thursday, March 24, 2022.
A Memorial Service will be Thursday, March 31 at 10:30 A.M. at United Church of the Plains in Dalton, NE with Pastor Leon “Bud” Gillespie officiating. Services will be recorded and available on our website for viewing. Inurnment will follow at the Dalton Cemetery.
Friends may stop at the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel on Wednesday, March 30 from 1-6:00 P.M.
You may view Lauretta’s Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at www.gehrigstittchapel.com.
Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Lauretta’s care and funeral arrangements.
The family invites you to join them in wearing something red, which was Lauretta’s favorite color.
Memorials may be given to the family.
Lauretta Esther McConnell was born September 8, 1939, to Iva and Lloyd Reineka, in Sterling, CO. As a young girl she attended school in Sidney, NE and graduated with the class of 1957. During high school, she worked as a telephone operator. Lauretta attended Kearney State College for 2 years and received her teaching certificate. She taught Kindergarten at Dalton Public School from 1959-1962. Lauretta also taught for 1 year at District #7.
While working in Dalton, a friend set her up on a blind date. It was love at first sight when Lauretta met Rodney McConnell. They were married on February 4, 1962, at the United Methodist Church in Sidney. To this union 5 children were born, with an additional 2 daughters joining the family through adoption.
Lauretta was a member of the Mintken-Davidson Legion Auxiliary, Dalton Presbyterian Church and the Mud Springs Ladies Club. She was an active member of her community, volunteering as a Girl Scout leader and as a driver for the Disabled American Veterans in Cheyenne County. She was also active in the Dalton Senior Citizens Center.
She leaves behind her children Tamara McConnell, Earl (Shelby) McConnell, Weston (Jenni) McConnell, Rex McConnell, Marie (Bert) Bissell, Teresa McConnell and Esther (Tommy) Wilson; grandchildren Justen (Dianna) McConnell, Daniel McConnell, Zachariah (Jessica) McConnell, Jacob McConnell, Ashten McConnell and fiancé, Grant Stewart, Brett McConnell and Myranda Russell, and Kathren McConnell; great grandsons Lincoln McConnell and Greyson McConnell; sister Naomi Truax and brother Bill (Cathy) Reineka, brother-in-law Norman (Helen) McConnell and sisters in law Clara May (Jerry) Groves and Kathryn Churchill, as well as many extended family and friends.
Lauretta was preceded in death by her parents, husband Rodney McConnell, an infant son, and grandson Matthew McConnell.
A Memorial Service will be Thursday, March 31 at 10:30 A.M. at United Church of the Plains in Dalton, NE with Pastor Leon “Bud” Gillespie officiating. Services will be recorded and available on our website for viewing. Inurnment will follow at the Dalton Cemetery.
Friends may stop at the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel on Wednesday, March 30 from 1-6:00 P.M.
You may view Lauretta’s Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at www.gehrigstittchapel.com.
Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Lauretta’s care and funeral arrangements.
The family invites you to join them in wearing something red, which was Lauretta’s favorite color.
Memorials may be given to the family.
Lauretta Esther McConnell was born September 8, 1939, to Iva and Lloyd Reineka, in Sterling, CO. As a young girl she attended school in Sidney, NE and graduated with the class of 1957. During high school, she worked as a telephone operator. Lauretta attended Kearney State College for 2 years and received her teaching certificate. She taught Kindergarten at Dalton Public School from 1959-1962. Lauretta also taught for 1 year at District #7.
While working in Dalton, a friend set her up on a blind date. It was love at first sight when Lauretta met Rodney McConnell. They were married on February 4, 1962, at the United Methodist Church in Sidney. To this union 5 children were born, with an additional 2 daughters joining the family through adoption.
Lauretta was a member of the Mintken-Davidson Legion Auxiliary, Dalton Presbyterian Church and the Mud Springs Ladies Club. She was an active member of her community, volunteering as a Girl Scout leader and as a driver for the Disabled American Veterans in Cheyenne County. She was also active in the Dalton Senior Citizens Center.
She leaves behind her children Tamara McConnell, Earl (Shelby) McConnell, Weston (Jenni) McConnell, Rex McConnell, Marie (Bert) Bissell, Teresa McConnell and Esther (Tommy) Wilson; grandchildren Justen (Dianna) McConnell, Daniel McConnell, Zachariah (Jessica) McConnell, Jacob McConnell, Ashten McConnell and fiancé, Grant Stewart, Brett McConnell and Myranda Russell, and Kathren McConnell; great grandsons Lincoln McConnell and Greyson McConnell; sister Naomi Truax and brother Bill (Cathy) Reineka, brother-in-law Norman (Helen) McConnell and sisters in law Clara May (Jerry) Groves and Kathryn Churchill, as well as many extended family and friends.
Lauretta was preceded in death by her parents, husband Rodney McConnell, an infant son, and grandson Matthew McConnell.