Click Here to View the Service for Connie

Connie Colleen Kallis, a loving mother, a doting grandmother, and friend to all whose lives she touched, passed on March 3rd, 2022, surrounded in love at Marion Manor in Glen Ullin, ND.

She was born in her grandmother's house in Mott, ND on July 15 ^th 1951 to Richard and Florence (Auch) Klein.

She grew up in Mott, ND. She and her family moved to Billings, MT in 1963.  She graduated from Billings High School in 1969.  After graduation, she came to New Leipzig to visit her sister, Janice, and that's when she met Marvin Kallis. Even after swearing she would never marry a farmer, she couldn't help herself, and happily married one anyway on May, 9th 1970.

Connie lived a full life as a farmer's wife, a homemaker, a wonderful mother, the world's best grandmother, along with many other occupations.  She took pride in them all, no matter what.  Nothing was ever insignificant. She worked at Roehl's Transfer, at the café, and at the grocery store.  In 1989, Marvin and Connie bought the grocery store and called it the Family Food Center, which was really one of mom's ambitions, to own her own business.  After selling the store, she worked as a business manager for Agri-Alliance in Hettinger and then for Cenex in Mott.  She left an impact on every single place in some way with her smile, customer support, knowledge, and kindness.

Connie was extremely talented when it came to sewing, crocheting and knitting.  She made just about everything you can think of.  She sewed dresses for weddings. She enjoyed doing crosswords and Sudoku.  In her younger years, she played piano and guitar and loved singing. She enjoyed fishing and being on the boat.  She loved having a flower garden and watching birds, especially finches.  She was active in her church.

Most of all she loved her family. They were her happiness.  No matter what, she made sure her children knew that she loved them unconditionally. Connie taught them what forgiveness and second chances were all about.  She was always their biggest cheerleader, their rock, their first call and their last. Connie was "that mom"- the voice of reason, the psychiatrist, the heart healer and problem solver.  She was the teacher, doctor, comedian, and peace keeper.  And she was their partner in crime and will always be their Sunshine. She loved to spend holidays together, playing card games and board games.

She especially loved her grandchildren.  Nothing made her happier than to see or spend time with them. If you were around when the grandkids were home all you would hear was "Grandma wants her kisses, cause there so delicious, I want kisses!!" Or as the kids got older, "who wants to play Phase 10?" The kids could get away with just about anything, well, just about.  The snack drawer was always full and the kitchen was always open.  She loved seeing the kids out fishing on the boat, reeling in fish or "losing their pole" in Sheep Creek Dam! She was always up for a laugh and always took a front seat to the grand kids "shows".  She attended rodeos and activities as long as she could, enjoying every minute of it.  Her arms were always open for hugs.  They were the best hugs, the real hugs, the kind that last forever.  No grand kid could ever pass one up!

She made a lasting impression on the staff and residents of Marion Manor where she lived her most recent years.  Playing bingo, cards, attending church, watching the birds and joking around with staff were Connie's favorite activities.  Even hiding a nurse under her blanket so she "didn't have to work anymore".

"Wherever a beautiful Soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories".  Connie had the most beautiful soul, and has left behind the most beautiful trail for her family and friends to walk down.

Connie is survived by daughters Theresa Wolf (Casey Koch ), Bismarck, ND; Kristie (Scott) Tschida, Fort Rice, ND; Carrie (Mark) Duppong, Glen Ullin, ND; son, Tim (Kelsey) Kallis, Mandan, ND, father-in-law, Arnold Kallis, New Leipzig, ND.  Connie had 12 grandchildren that were her world, Dakota Wolf, Mason Emerson, Isaiah Tschida, Kennedy, Rebecca and Scotty Tschida; Ethan, Alyssa and Elizabeth Duppong; Abby Husfloen, Kaden and Alyvia Kallis. She is also survived by her siblings Janice (Marty) Houston, Dennis Klein, Lynn (Debbie) Klein, and Glen (Nancy) Klein and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death,  awaiting to Welcome her arrival, were,  Her husband Marvin, to dance the first dance in heaven, her father and mother, Richard and Florence Klein, to hug her again so tight; her brothers Ronald, John, and sister Sherilyn to finally meet her, and her mother in law Irene to laugh and start shenanigan's.

A celebration of Connie's life will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Leipzig, ND on March 19 ^th at 11:00 am MT with Pastor John Amundson, officiating.  Following a time of fellowship and a luncheon at the Gottlieb Weller Community Center, burial will be held at the Ebenezer Baptist Cemetery northwest of New Leipzig.

The Funeral Service will be live streamed on the website www.evansonjensenfuneralhome.com and the service can be viewed by going to Connie's obituary and clicking on "View Funeral Service Here".

Cards can be mailed to Carrie Duppong, County Road 88, Glen Ullin, ND  58631.