Vera M. Connell

Vera M. Connell, 87, of 3504 Hoover Ave., Altoona, formerly of the town of Lafayette, died Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010 at Chippewa Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation in Chippewa Falls.

She was born Sept. 14, 1922, in Brainerd, Minn. to Ann (Clarke) and Edward Place. She moved with her family to Eau Claire when she was four years old. She graduated from Eau Claire Memorial High School in 1940.

Vera married James W. Connell on Dec. 25, 1941, in Portsmouth, Va. They resided in the town of Lafayette where they farmed and operated Connell's Orchard. In 1965 they moved to Menomonie where she and her husband managed the Bundy Hall Episcopal Conference Center. They moved to Oshkosh in 1969 and then moved back to the town of Lafayette in 1973. Vera then moved to Eau Claire in 1987 after the death of her husband and for the past year has resided in Altoona.

She is survived by: four daughters, Susan (Paul) Zielie of Nashua, N.H., Janet Schreiber of Long Beach, Calif., Elizabeth (James) Brezinski of Wausau, Jean (Michael) Probst of Stevens Point; three sons, James (Karen) Connell of Chippewa Falls, Jack (Dawn) Connell of Eau Claire, David (Jackie Muszynski) Connell of Chippewa Falls; 17 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by: her parents; her husband Jim on Feb. 29, 1976; two sisters, Elaine Hanke, Evelyn Hanson; and a granddaughter Deanna.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, March 4 at Christ Episcopal Church in Chippewa Falls with the Rev. Robert Hoekstra, the Rev. Eleanor Michaud and the Rev. George Stamm officiating. Burial will be in Prairie View Cemetery in the village of Lake Hallie.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel in Chippewa Falls and one hour prior to the service, Thursday, at the church.

Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls, is serving the family.

Visit pedersonvolker.com to express online condolences.