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Connie Jo Van Laningham
Born in Hampton, IA on Aug. 6, 1942
Resided in Waverly IA.
Departed on Jan. 7, 2010.
Visitation: Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010
Service: Monday, Jan. 11, 2010
Cemetery: Harlington Cemetery
Connie Jo Van Laningham, 67, of Waverly, Iowa, died on Thursday, January 7, 2010, at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa.
Connie Jo was born on August 6, 1942, in Hampton, Iowa, the daughter of Robert Clifford and Helen Mae (Kline) Gaard. She was baptized on February 21, 1943 and confirmed on March 25, 1956, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Waverly, Iowa. She graduated from Waverly High School in 1960 and graduated from Wartburg College in 1965. She worked at Infelt's Variety Store in Waverly, Iowa. She taught 2nd grade in the Plainfield Community School in Plainfield, Iowa; Kindergarten in the Orono School District in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Kindergarten in the Independence Public Schools, Independence, Iowa; and she was Director and teacher at Community Lutheran Preschool in Readlyn, Iowa. She was an Associate of Ministers for the ELCA Church. She was the St. Paul's Lutheran School Preschool Director and teacher for over 30 years. Connie Jo was united in marriage to Terry David Van Laningham on September 7, 1969 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Waverly, Iowa. They just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this past September.
She was a lifelong member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Waverly, Pumpkin Seeds, TTT - past president, she took part in Project Lead in Waverly and was a past Girl Scout leader.
Connie's love for her grandchildren was so evident. She enjoyed every moment she spent with them, playing cards, reading books, coloring or creating special art projects. Connie made sure that each and every grandchild knew they were special. She also enjoyed watching them participate in all of their activities. She became a surrogate grandmother to her nieces and nephew. She was proud of their accomplishments and kept a close watch on all of their activities. Connie enjoyed attending sporting events and was a huge Iowa Hawkeye fan. She and Terry spent many weekends cheering on their beloved Hawks. A December wasn't complete until the annual trip to a bowl game. Together they traveled thousands of miles to California, Texas, Florida, and Arizona to watch the "Big" game. Many of those trips family members would accompany them, making it into mini family vacations.
A favorite spot of Connie's was a family cabin in Clear Lake. She enjoyed spending time at the cabin, walking to the lake, fishing off the dock, and in her younger years waterskiing on the lake. The 4th of July celebration was a tradition. Each 4th, she and Terry and sometimes her children and grandchildren would attend festivities. That always included the hour long parade, rides at the carnival and the fireworks over the lake. Clear Lake was a special place she shared with her grandchildren. They enjoyed the time they would spend with her, usually without their mom and dad.
Connie Jo also had a very special bond with her brothers. They were an important part of her life. A week wouldn't go by without her calling to check in on them and their families. She enjoyed traveling to their homes and also meeting up with them on the bowl trips. She was very proud of all of their accomplishments in life.
Connie Jo is survived by her husband, Terry Van Laningham of Waverly, Iowa; one daughter, Amy Harn and her husband, Tim of Byron, Illinois; one son, Michael Van Laningham and his wife, Misty of Kenosha, Wisconsin; seven grandchildren, Amanda, Brittany, and Connor Harn; and Nicholas, Emily, Benjamin and Catherine Van Laningham; two brothers, Richard Gaard and his wife, Carol of Decorah, Iowa, their daughter Christina; and Michael Gaard and his wife, Peggy of Edina, Minnesota and their children Justin, Jaime, and Megan. She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Clifford Gaard, her mother, Helen Mae (Kline) Gaard Ritchie, and her step-father Howard Ritchie.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, January 11, 2009 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Waverly with Pastor Curt Schneider and Diaconal Minister Gloria Strickert officiating. Burial will be in Harlington Cemetery, Waverly. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly. Memorials may be directed to the family for a scholarship in memory of Connie Jo that will be established at a later date.
Thanks to John Carstensen for the update.
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