Carolyn Conness

Carolyn M. Conness, 91, of Loves Park passed away peacefully Friday, November 12, 2021.  Carolyn was born on June 19, 1930, in Galena, the daughter of Oscar B. and Viola A. (Bussan) Korte, the oldest of nine children.  Graduated from Galena High School, Class of 1948.  Following graduation, she left the family farm to attend St. Anthony’s School of Nursing in Rockford.  Carolyn married Oris A. Conness on August 9, 1952, in Galena; he passed away January 22, 1998.  She was a Rockford area resident for the rest of her life, working and raising her own large family.  Employed as a Cardiac R.N. at OSF St. Anthony Medical center, where she was instrumental in the opening of the 4-East Cardiac unit.  She retired from Winnebago County Health Department in 1993 to care for her ill husband.  When her youngest, Linda, was in grade school at Windsor School, Carolyn was a room mother, volunteered in the library, and was active in the PTA helping to organize fundraisers and fun fairs.  All were cherished memories for them both.  Member of St. Bridget Catholic Church.  After retirement and her husband’s passing, she focused a lot of her time and talent to her church.  She became a funeral lunch volunteer, Homebound Eucharistic Minister and was a founding coordinator for “Young in Spirit”, which is now St. Bridget’s Senior Group.  Every year since 1985, she and her sisters would get together for a “sisters slumber party”, the weekend after Thanksgiving with Carolyn making her homemade meatloaf, Christmas shopping, singing songs and visiting.  She was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and enjoyed gardening.  Survivors include her children, Mary Kay Blume, Kathryn (Steven) Peterson, Jean (Randy) Marsala, Dan Conness, Donald (Sarah) Conness, and Linda Conness; daughter-in-law, Sandy Conness; grandchildren, Brian, Becky, Jack (Lauren), Sam, Gordon, Caroline, Claudia and Ben Conness, Annie (Doug) Hike, Amy (Jacob) Powell, Mark (Claire) Peterson, and Brittany (Daniel) Olson; great-grandchildren, Audra Shelley, and Corisa Powell, Emma and Nolan Peterson, Savanah Conness, Hunter and Harper Hike and Sam Olson; four sisters; two brothers; numerous nieces and nephews; extra daughter, Vicky Goeddeke.  Predeceased by her husband of 45 years; son, David Conness; and two sisters.  Special thanks to Ascension Saint Anne Place and OSF Hospice for their care and compassion.

Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 22, 2021, in St. Bridget Catholic Church, 600 Clifford Ave., Loves Park, with visitation from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. in the church.  Burial in Sunset Memorial Gardens.  Rosary recited at 2:30 p.m. with visitation also to follow from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, November 21, 2021, in Delehanty Funeral Home, Ltd., 401 River Lane, Loves Park.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established.