Phyllis Jeane Connell, daughter of Rex E. Welty and Carrie Mildred Mullihan Welty was born September 4, 1927, in Nevada, Iowa and passed from this life Friday, February 3, 2017, at Clarke County Hospital at 89 years of age.
In 1930, Phyllis’ father was offered a job in Reseda, Cali., by and friend who owned a newspaper so the family packed all there possessions and headed west in a Model A Ford. Phyllis received her early education in California and began attending high school in Yuba City, Cali. In 1942, the family returned to Iowa and Phyllis continued her education at North High School in Des Moines graduating in June 1945. She later attended Electronics Business School in Minneapolis.
After graduating from business school, Phyllis took her first job in Las Vegas, NM, where she worked for Santa Fe Railroad. She also met and was united in marriage to James Schlott Connell on June 14, 1946, at Las Vegas, NM and two children; Janice Lynn and Karen Joyce blessed this union.
Phyllis worked in many roles throughout the years ranging from a Teletype Apprentice straight from school to a housewife in later years. She was a member of Women’s Club at the Osceola United Methodist Church and also a member of the Federated Garden Club of Iowa.
Phyllis enjoyed gardening and her flowers; reading and she was exceptionally proficient at record keeping from her time in business school.
Phyllis leaves to cherish her memory daughter, Janice (Roger) Shepard of Creston, IA; granddaughter, Jodi (Bradley) Goodale of Eagle Grove, IA, granddaughter, Julie (David) Chumbley of Halbur, IA, granddaughter, Jennifer (Shawn) James of Prescott, IA, granddaughter, Kati (Robert) Silliman of Osceola, IA, grandson, James Shepard (Fiance, Brandi Johnson) of Des Moines, IA, sixteen great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson as well as well as other relatives and many friends.
Those relatives who preceded Phyllis in death were her parents; granddaughter, Melinda Lee McCauley; daughter, Karen Joyce McCauley; husband, James Schlott Connell.
The family greeted friends from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, February 5, at Kale Funeral Home – Osceola. Services were held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Februay 6, at Kale Funeral Home, with Pastor Julie M. Poore officiating. Interment was in the Maple Hill Cemetery
Memorial contributions may be directed to Homestead Assisted Living in Osceola.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at kalefuneralhome.com.
