Connie Schwartz

Connie Sue (Becker) Schwartz age 70 of Norfolk, Nebraska passed away peacefully on May 14, 2025, surrounded by her family at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

A Celebration of Connie’s Life will be held this summer in her hometown of Crofton, Nebraska—details to come. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to plant something pink, feed the birds, or simply share a laugh in her honor.

Connie was born on October 2, 1954, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, South Dakota, to Gerald “Gerry” and Betty (Maly) Becker. She grew up in Crofton, Nebraska, and graduated from Crofton High School, in 1972 where her kind personality and lighthearted ways were always present.  From age 14 she was employed by her dad at The Top Spot Restaurant and Bar, Upper Missouri Valley Trading Company, and Fritz’s Bar in Crofton.

In August of 1975, she married Robert (Bob) Schwartz at the Saint Rose of Lima Church in Crofton. In December of 1976 they welcomed their beautiful daughter, Wendy Kay, into the world. She worked at Fritz’s until they closed the bar in September of 1984 and moved to Kadoka, SD.

Connie was a people person through and through. Fun, kind, sharp, and full of heart. She had a deep love for music, flowers, playing cribbage and a good conversation especially if she got to tease someone and make them laugh!

In 1988 moved to Chamberlain, SD. There Connie worked various jobs but found her stride at the local medical clinic as front desk receptionist where she greeted every patient like family. In 1995 moved to Norfolk, Nebraska, where Connie worked as a Certified Pharmacy Technician at what eventually became Hy-Vee West Pharmacy for a total of twenty six years until she retired. She loved her work, her coworkers, and the many customers she connected with over the years.

Connie was a talented crafter, a green-thumbed gardener, and a master at making her famous strawberry pretzel salad. She adored animals, especially her many dachshunds over the years and a few birds, too! She had a lifelong love of the Black Hills, feeding squirrels and birds, and above all being "Grandma Connie" to her granddaughter, Ava Leigh Alexander, whom she absolutely adored.

She is survived by her husband, Bob Schwartz of Norfolk, NE; her daughter Wendy Kay Alexander and granddaughter Ava Leigh Alexander of Sioux Falls, SD; Siblings; Sharon(Becker) & Roger Martin (Eddyville, NE), Duane “Butch” Becker & Gloria Becker (Yankton, SD), Dale Becker (Surprise, Arizona), Dean & Ruth Becker (Burbank, SD), and Pam & Dean Schwartz (Norfolk, NE); and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends who cherished her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gerald and Betty Becker and her sister-in-law, Crystal Becker.

Connie brought sparkle and warmth wherever she went. She was deeply loved, deeply loving, and leaves behind a trail of joy, stories, and memories that will live on in everyone who knew her.