Connie Weppler

CONNIE KAY (SOUTHARD) WEPPLER

Connie Weppler, 75, a long-time resident of Lewis, passed away Saturday, April 4, 2015, at home.

The daughter of Woodrow Wilson and Louise Martha (Jenkins) Southard, she was born September 24, 1939, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She grew up in Council Bluffs and graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1957. After graduation, she worked for the Corps of Engineer's Office, at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, NE, for seven years. At an early age, she played the piano for her church and there began her love of music and a strong faith that carried her through life.

Connie met the love of her life on a blind date set up by mutual friends. How could a farm boy from Lewis meet a city girl from Council Bluffs? Turned out, one of her best friends was dating another farm boy from Lewis. That friend's boyfriend . . . had another best friend, Marlowe William Weppler . . . and the rest was history. They were married on March 17, 1962, at the Little Brown Church in the Vale, in Nashua, Iowa.

They started out their married life in Council Bluffs, living there for a short time before moving out to a farm southeast of Lewis. She gladly made the career switch to Farm Wife and never looked back for over 50 years, only joyfully adding the vocation of motherhood to her busy schedule. They were blessed with two children. She avidly kept up with all their school activities and was so proud of them throughout life; family was always her first priority. She grew a large vegetable garden, annually. She was a great cook and loved both cooking and canning, much to her family's joy. In harmony with the day to day activities of the farm, she passionately cared for her large flower garden, while keeping an eye on the crops from planting to harvest each year. She delighted to watch the newborn lambs each spring as they jumped and ran.

Connie loved music and passed that love on to her children and grandchildren. She has been the "rock" of the family, continuing to follow her grandchildren's activities and has made numerous trips to Ames in the past four years, as both granddaughters have been attending ISU. Her quieter moments were spent reading, working crossword puzzles, and doing hand embroidery.

In addition to those things, she believed in prayer and made it part of her every day life. She developed arthritis at an early age but though she had it, it never had her. She pursued as normal a life as possible, in spite of the pain; even down to maintaining her beautiful handwriting. Connie's radiant smile came straight from a very kind and loving heart. Even when she was in the hospital at times and didn't feel the best, she always apologetically, thanked nurses and doctors for their service.

She was a member of the United Congregational Methodist Church in Lewis and past member of the UCMC Christian Education Committee; WFCS; and Neighborhood Circle Club.

Connie is survived by her husband, Marlowe; daughter, Tracy Schmidt and her husband, Neil of Griswold, IA; son, Todd Weppler of Lewis, IA; grandchildren, Kelsie Anne Schmidt, Haley Kay Schmidt, and Cale Marlowe Schmidt; sisters-in-law, Alice Baker and Bev Weppler; and several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Woodrow and Louise Southard; brother, Woodrow Kent Southard; parents-in-law, William and Bernice Weppler; brother- and sister-in-law, Wayne and Rose Christensen; and brothers-in-law, Donald Baker and Harold Weppler.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, April 9, 2015, at the United Congregational Methodist Church in Lewis, with Reverend Nadine Aydt officiating. Interment will be in the Atlantic Cemetery.

Open visitation will be Wednesday, April 8, 2015, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the Roland Funeral Home. No family visitation is planned.

Memorials may be directed to the family for designation at a later date.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Connie's family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

IN REMEMBRANCE
Connie Kay Weppler
Born September 24, 1939
Council Bluffs, Iowa

PASSED AWAY
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Atlantic, Iowa
At the age of
75 years, 6 months and 11 days

FUNERAL SERVICE
Thursday, April 9, 2015
One o’clock p.m.
United Congregational Methodist Church
Lewis, Iowa

OFFICIATING
The Rev. Nadine Aydt
United Congregational Methodist Church, Lewis, Iowa

ORGANIST
Kathy Govig

MUSICAL SELECTIONS
Processional—“Hymn of Promise”
“In the Garden” & “Amazing Grace” by Kelsie & Haley Schmidt
“How Great Thou Art” by Heidi (Roland) Hinman
Recessional—“The Old Rugged Cross”

CASKET BEARERS
Cale Schmidt
Clint Weppler
Jim Christensen
Gail Christensen
Keith Baker
Alvin Baker

HONORARY BEARERS
Eric Southard
Gary Christensen
Lary Christensen
Tom Christensen
Lynn Christensen
Dan Christensen
Chris Christensen
Craig Christensen
Troy Weppler

IN CHARGE OF FLOWERS
Lisa Masker
Duane & Lois Weppler

COMMITTAL SERVICES
Atlantic Cemetery
Atlantic, Iowa

The family invites you to join them for a luncheon in the
Fellowship Hall following the committal service.

Memorials will be directed to the Family for designation at a later date.