COUNTIS MAE "CONNIE" REYNOLDS, 77 of Venango, NE, passed away Sunday, December 24, 2023, at UC Health Hospital in Highlands Ranch, CO.
Connie was born in Denver, CO, to George J. and Florence H (Colvin) Streno. She graduated from East High School in Denver with the class of 1964.
On February 21, 1966, Connie married Gene "Wayne" Reynolds in New Mexico. Wayne was serving in the military at the time, which took the family to the Philippines on more than one occasion, Baltimore, San Diego and Denver, which was always home base. The couple made their home in Aurora following Wayne's discharge, later moving to Holyoke in 1986.
Connie worked at the Prairie Vista Care Center, in Holyoke, CO, for 12 years, during that time she and Wayne moved from Holyoke to Venango, NE, in the Fall of 1991. During these later years Connie and Wayne enjoyed going to Colorado Rockies and Avalanche games, along with driving to Cheyenne on Sunday morning for breakfast.
Connie was all about her family. She was deeply devoted to Wayne and adored her grandchildren. She loved to crotchet, and most everyone had a special blanket at some point that Connie made for them. She was also a devoted lover of animals, particularly her cats. Connie always looked forward to a good Dairy Queen strawberry shake with family. She was a steadying presence and the matriarch of her family. Her memory will always be treasured by family and friends, along with the many things she left behind, like her afghans and famous spaghetti sauce recipe.
Survivors include her daughters, Gina (Mick) Strand, of Wauneta; Roxane Reynolds (Rodney Lousberg), of Venango; grandchildren, James & Paige Strand, and their children Mae and Micah; Tessa (Travis) Rhodes and their children Macie, Kendall, and Sawyer; Ryan (Jessica) Dizmang and their children, Mia & Noah; Rebecca (Sam) Munderloh and their children, Brock & Mattie; Zachary (Bree Ann) Dizmang and their children, Aria & Oaklee; Nicole Strand (Evan Houdersheldt); a sister, Janet (Bobby) Cruz of Salem MO; along with many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Preceding her in death were her husband, her parents, in-laws Walter and Juanita Reynolds, sister Helen, brother Henry, sister Jeanette, sister in law Simone, brother in law Rob.
A memorial has been established in Connie's memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com.
Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at 2:00 PM at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Venango with Pastor Kurt Hatteburg officiating. Inurnment will be in the Venango Cemetery.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant is in charge of arrangements.