Connie Walters

Villisca, Iowa

March 21, 1941-Nov. 29, 2016

Connie Walters, age 75, of Villisca, entered into peace Tuesday, Nov. 29 at Good Samaritan Hospice Center, Villisca. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 10 at Ritchie Funeral Home, Clarinda with Pastor Marcia Cline officiating. Visitation with the family was held 5-7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 9 at Ritchie Funeral Home, Clarinda. Burial was at the Guss Cemetery, Guss. Memorials may be directed to Maple Grove United Methodist Church or the Guss Cemetery. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on the website at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Clarinda.

Connie Joyce (Wilhelm) Walters was born March 21, 1941 in Clarinda. She was raised the majority of her life on a farm southeast of Villisca. She graduated from Villisca High School. On October 11, 1959 she was united in marriage to Ronald Wesley Walters. They were blessed with four children, Shari, Lana, David, and Rodney.

While raising their family and being a farm wife in Guss, Iowa, she was an active member of the Maple Grove United Methodist Church. She was a member of the United Methodist Women's, a Sunday School Teacher, Board Member and a MYF Leader. The Church Suppers were important to Connie and she'd be seen in the kitchen preparing the food behind the scenes. She was also a 4-H Leader of the Gay Guss Club for many years. She was also part of a women's club called Calico Maids. Ronnie and Connie were also active members of the Guss Saddle Club. They hosted and went to many card parties with friends in the Guss Community. There are many fond memories from these events as well!

Connie was a true farmer's wife. It was not unusual to see her in the tractor working the fields alongside Ronnie, or working cattle or putting up hay. She was also the record keeper. Connie worked 10 years at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Villisca as a cook, then at the State Prison, in Clarinda for 9 years as a cook/storage clerk. The stories she would tell from some of her experiences were entertaining. She met some dear friends through her employment at both places.

Family was a priority to Connie and after watching their four children grow up she continued to follow her nine Grandchildren in all of their activities. The next passion in her life was her gardens. Connie is well known for her large, well maintained garden. After family needs were met she opened up her garden produce to neighbors and friends so that nothing would go to waste. Connie canned fruits and vegetables every year. Even this past year Connie continued to can while taking chemo treatments. She also kept a yard neatly trimmed and weed free of course. She had several flower gardens, fruit trees, and a large Iris bed that she cherished. Another hobby of Connie's was sewing. She sewed clothing, crafts, and yes lots of blue jean patches. Connie's baking and cooking skills were also very top notch. Her specialties included pies and Christmas candy. A tradition Connie created was the Fellowship Event after the annual Maple Grove Christmas Eve Program in their home. Everyone was invited to come to their home to enjoy Christmas candies, appetizers and punch.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents Mabel and Wilson Wilhelm, Mother and Father-in-law Violet and Wesley Walters; Grandson Jeramie Mitchell, Sister-in-law Maxine (Walters) Schrader, Brother-in-law Kendall Schrader, Brother-in-law John Nasi, and Niece Michelle (Nasi) Scott.

Left to Cherish her memory are her husband, Ronnie Walters; Children, Shari (Galyn) Mitchell, Lana (Dean) McMann, David (Julie) Walters, Rodney Walters; Grandchildren Ashley Mitchell, Heath (Dawna) Mitchell, Meghan Walters, Bailie Walters, Cody McMann, Makayla McMann, CharLiegh Herbert, and Rhyn Walters. Great Granddaughter Hallea Mitchell.  Siblings Heather Nasi of Gallup, NM, Rex (Hope) Wilhelm of Stuart; Tom (Barb) Wilhelm of Dallas, Pennsylvania, and Judy Wilhelm of Lincoln, Nebraska; nieces; nephew; cousins and friends.