Bernice Mcconnell

Bernice Henrietta Amanda Ortman, daughter of Frederick and Alma Geuder Ortman, was born August 17, 1912 at Guttenburg, Iowa. She received her education at Guttenburg, Iowa. On April 20, 1931, she married Ralph William McConnell at the Little Brown Church at Nashua. The couple resided at Charles City, Des Moines and then moved to Webster City where they operated the B and R Grocery until 1943. While Ralph worked in the lumber industry for many years, Bernice worked at Spurgeons Department Store as a bookkeeper for nearly 20 years. She retired in 1977. Ralph died April 2, 1992. She continued to reside in Webster City. Mrs. McConnell is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Merlyn and Dixie McConnell of Walworth, WI; Bruce and Phyllis McConnell of Littleton, CO; daughter and son-in-law, LaVonne and Don Neese of Cedar Falls; daughters-in-law, Donna McConnell Kramer of Webster City; Pam McConnell Hull of Littleton; 14 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; son, Ronald Frederick McConnell; a brother and 2 sisters. She was a member of the Asbury United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women and was Worthy Matron in the Order of the Eastern Star. Memorials in her memory may be made to Asbury United Methodist Church or to Van Diest Medical Center. Write a personal tribute or light a virtual candle for the McConnell family at www.fosterfuneralandcremation.com