Connie Jean Raess

Connie Jean Raess was born June 9, 1948, in Deshler, Neb., to Henry and

Esther (Hoops) Loontjer. She died Saturday March 19, 2022, at her home in Carleton, Neb., surrounded by her family.

Connie was baptized and confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church in Deshler. She attended Deshler High School and graduated in 1966. After high school, Connie attended Kearney State College earning an associate degree in 1968. Connie met her husband, James Raess, in high school. They were married on Aug. 23, 1969. After college Connie began her career at Dorsey in Lincoln, working there for five years advancing to assistant purchasing agent. In those years, Connie and James lead an active social life, participating in softball and bowling leagues along with enjoying time boating and skiing at Branched Oak Lake.

Connie and James welcomed children, Ryan and Nicole, to the family prior to moving back in 1977 to the rural Carleton farm. In 1981, Connie gave birth to their third child, Josh, completing their family. In early years on the farm, Connie focused on raising children, helping with daily farm work,

and staying active in the church. As her children grew, Connie became more active in the church and reentered the workforce as church secretary at Peace Lutheran Church in Deshler. She was encouraged to enter the Parrish Ministry Assistant program by Pastor Harold Laursen. In 1995 Connie was certified as a PMA, taking her first official step in her faith leadership journey. Connie served many faith communities in the surrounding rural areas while progressing her theological education at Pacific Lutheran Seminary. In 2008, Connie completed her education and was ordained by the ELCA. Connie continued serving until 2016 when she retired from full time faith leadership.

In retirement, Connie and James spent much of their time attending grandchildren's activities, vacationing with friends and family and being present for anyone who needed her. Connie was preceded in death by her parents, and father and mother-in-law, Martin and Clara Raess.

Connie is survived by her husband James Raess, married for 52 years, with 44 of them living in the same home in rural Carleton.

She was loved and adored by her three children and their spouses: Ryan

and Heidi Raess of Gretna, Neb., Nicole (Raess) and Steve Stamm of Gretna, Neb., and Josh Raess and finance, Nicole Britto, of Omaha, Neb.

One of Connie's lasting legacies is the special relationship she formed with her grandchildren. Connie was a beloved grandmother, survived by six grandchildren: Taylor, Trevor and Brayden Stamm and Kylie, Ella and Luke Raess, all of Gretna, Neb.

Connie is survived by one sister, Sue (Virg) Setzer of Denver, Colo., and four brothers, Gerry Loontjer of Omaha, Neb., Ron Loontjer of Deshler,

Gaylon (Janie) Loontjer of San Antonio, Texas, and Tim Loontjer of Lincoln, Neb.; brother-in-law, John (Karen) Raess; and sisters-in-law, Marjorie Raess, Barbara (Jim) Thompsen, Janice (Eldon) Pequette and Carolyn Raess; friends, nieces, nephews, neighbors and colleagues.