Connie Kay Nordin

Connie Kay Nordin (80) longtime St. Maries, ID resident passed away unexpectedly at her home on May 16, 2025. She was born to Lewis and Inez (Matteson) Leavens on May 21, 1944, in Hamilton, MT. Connie was one of 12 children who grew up in a 2-bedroom 1 bathroom home on a ranch in Darby, MT. This is where she learned her way around a garden and kitchen helping care for her younger siblings. Connie graduated from Darby High School with the class of 1964. Following high school, Connie went to work for Lee Schimpf on a chicken farm. Lee happened to be the brother in-law of Ed Nordin a resident from St. Maries, ID who was working in Montana. Connie and Ed met and went on 1 fishing date before deciding to marry 2 weeks later on August 15, 1964, in Salmon, ID. While in the Bitterroot Valley, the couple had 2 boys Glenn and Stacey. The Nordin family moved to Spokane, WA for Ed's work, and in 1968 they moved to St. Maries, ID. In 1978 Connie went to work for the Heyburn Elementary in the kitchen and later St. Maries High School; a career that lasted over 3 decades and thousands of kids fed. She was one of the favorites among students, staff, and co-workers. When Connie left the high school, she ended up working and managing the kitchen at the Elks Lodge for a few years before fully retiring. However, Connie didn't fully retire, she was over the moon years prior when her boys married and had children of their own. She became a doting grandmother who worked hard in her garden and spent her extra time with her grandchildren. Her favorite hobby from then on out was spoiling her grandchildren. Connie was the definition of kindness and love. She welcomed anyone and everyone with open arms and she never judged a soul. She showed unwavering support when it came to her family and friends in anything they did. Her home was open to everyone, and food was her love language. There were many weekends and holidays of barbecues, baked goods, and iced tea or Diet Pepsi at the family table, with stories being shared, a lot of tears of happy laughter, and games or cards being played. Outdoors picking huckleberries, gardening, and tending to flowers was one of Connie's happy places. She also enjoyed knitting and crocheting making blankets, sweaters, scarves, socks, mittens, and hats for all her loved ones; some were even blessed with Christmas stockings. She used to love picking huckleberries and visiting the casino for lunch and a little gambling with Fran and Marj and missed her friends dearly when they were called home. To say Connie will be missed is an understatement. She was the glue that held everything together, and was the best sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend anyone could ask for. Her spirit, a beacon of hope and love, will continue to shine brightly in the lives of those she touched. Connie is survived by her husband Ed of St. Maries, ID; son and daughter in-law Stacey and Carrie Nordin of St. Maries, ID; grandson Brenden Nordin of St. Maries, ID; grandchildren Cassie (KC) Becker of Wenatchee, WA, Jake Nordin of Tekoa, WA, Josh (Kaitlin) Singleton of Spokane, WA and their mother Jennifer Nordin of Tekoa, WA; sister and brother in-law Patsy and Steve Drye of Montrose, CO; brother and sister in-law Don and Suzanne Leavens of Darby, MT; numerous in-laws; nieces and nephews; and all the kids and friends she took in and loved as her own. She is preceded in death by her parents, her son Glenn Nordin, and siblings Loma Myers, Charles Leavens, Lewis "Lude" Leavens, Bill Leavens, Florence Hyatt, Lila Gullette, Bob Leavens, Linda Ellis, and Susan Leavens. A Memorial Service to celebrate Connie's beautiful life will be on July 12, 2025, at 11:00 am at the St. Maries Nazarene Church in St. Maries. A gathering of family and friends to share a meal will follow.