Connie Maher

HAWARDEN, IOWA- Connie Jean Maher, 70, of Hawarden, died Sunday, November 10, 2013 at the Oakhill Assisted Living.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 15, 2013 at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hawarden with Father Doug Klein officiating. Burial will follow in the Grace Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from noon to 4:00 p.m. Thursday at the Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden. The family will be present beginning at 5:30 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. Thursday at St. Mary's Catholic Church.
Connie Jean Maher was born May 26, 1943 in Elk Horn, Iowa, the daughter of Peter and Ethel (Petersen) Mikkelsen. She graduated from Elk Horn High School and attended beauty school in Des Moines. Connie married Joe Maher on December 28, 1963 at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Atlantic, Iowa. They made their home in Charles City, Iowa, later in Denison, Iowa and Vermillion, South Dakota, where Joe was involved in the newspaper business. The family moved to Hawarden, Iowa in May of 1971. Deacon Joe died on October 25, 2001.
Connie was very active in her church, St. Mary's Catholic Church, as a Eucharistic minister, religious education teacher, Guild, and helping at many meals. She enjoyed helping her community through volunteering for meals-on-wheels program, and being active in the Xi Delta Mu Sorority and in bridge club. Connie loved to travel, garden, go shopping, entertaining, and being with her grandchildren.
Connie is survived by two sons, Ryan and wife Colleen of Hawarden and Marty and friend Lisa of Orlando, Florida; three brothers, Virgil (Rose) Mikkelsen of Atlantic, Iowa, Merlin (Sonya) Mikkelsen of Atlantic, Iowa and Roger (LaVonne) Mikkelsen of Elk Horn, Iowa; two sisters, Joyce Nelson of Crescent, Iowa and Margie (Dale) Nelson of Atlantic, Iowa; and three grandchildren, Reyna Rose Maher, Scott Peter Maher, and Genna Carol Jean Maher.
Connie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Joe; and two brothers, Leland and Marvin.