Constance Lynell "Connie" Lewis-Priest  Hettinger, ND

Constance Lynell (Lewis) Priest formerly of Hettinger, ND, and Colorado Springs, CO, died at the Medcenter One Care Center in Mandan, ND, Monday, January 31, 2005. Services will be held Wednesday, February 2, 2005, at 1:30 p.m., at the Hettinger United Methodist Church with Pastor Judy Banwart officiating. Interment will follow at the Hettinger Cemetery. Visitations will be from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 1st and from 8:00 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, February 2nd at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Hettinger and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday afternoon.

Constance was born June 7, 1956, in Hettinger, ND, the daughter of Robert and Helen (Sather)Lewis. She was raised on a ranch south of Hettinger and attended grade school at Ellingson School in Perkins County, SD, and graduated from Hettinger High School in 1974. Connie then attended college in Spearfish, SD, earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education, and later received her master's degree in special education from Minot State College. She taught in Dickinson, ND; Thermopolis, WY; and Colorado Springs, CO for several years.

Connie married Marshall Priest in 1993. In 1995 they moved to England for three years. While in England, Connie did volunteer work with Lakenheath Air Force Base, Thetford, England, for the military personnel entering the civilian workforce. Connie was presented with the "Angel" Award, a prestigious award for volunteers that recognizes one's commitment to make a difference in the military community.

Due to declining health, Connie entered the Sunnyrest Care Center in Colorado Springs and later moved to Medcenter One Care Center in Mandan, where she resided until her death. While Connie was at the care centers, she developed beautiful friendships with many very thoughtful, caring staff members, volunteers, and visitors.

Constance is survived by her parents, Robert and Helen Lewis, Hettinger, ND; her husband, Marshall Priest, Grand Junction, CO; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Mark and Annette Lewis, Lisbon, ND, and James and Melissa Lewis, Bismarck, ND; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Preceding Connie in death were her maternal and paternal grandparents.