Virginia E. McConnell

May 31, 1919 - January 20, 2019

VIRGINIA E. MCCONNELL, 99 of Wallace, passed away Sunday, January 20, 2019, at the Golden Ours Convalescent Home in Grant. Virginia was born May 31, 1919, at Wellfleet, Nebraska to C.V. and Berniece (Stewart) Smith. She attended Wallace Public Schools. On February 15, 1936, Virginia married Freeman McConnell. Their union was blessed with four children, Shirley, Clark, Vince, and Gary. The couple resided in Wallace where they owned and operated the McConnell Grocery Store. In 1967, the family moved to Lincoln, where Virginia worked at the University in the Registrar's Office. The family moved to the Dickens area in the late 1970s, and Virginia worked as a secretary in the Wallace School system. In 1991, she and Freeman moved to Wallace, and she spent several years helping Gary, working at the grocery store. Family was at the heart of Virginia's life. She counted herself blessed to have lived to see three generations of grandchildren. Another highlight for Virginia was in 2014 when she was picked to be a Grand Marshall of the Wallace Fall Parade. One of Virginia's great enjoyments in life was music. For many years, Virginia taught piano lessons and was a part of the Wallace United Methodist Church Bell Choir. Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Freeman; daughter, Shirley; son, Clark; grandson, Marty Aylward; brother, Warren Smith; and sister, Audrey Burdette. Survivors include her two sons, Vince (Kim) McConnell of Lake George, CO, Gary (Helen) McConnell of Wallace; daughter-in-law, Mary McConnell of Dallas, TX; son-in-law, Pat Aylward of Dickens; grandchildren, Mike (Lori) Aylward of Dickens, Mari Jo (Jim) Rugh of Windsor, CO, Michelle (John) Barrette of Monument, CO, Annette (Joe) Kopacz of Monument, CO, Jeff (Pam) McConnell of Dallas, TX, Jason (Elizabeth) McConnell of Indiana, Travis (Heidi) McConnell of Wallace, Traci (Shannon) Messersmith of Hershey, Trent (Stephanie) McConnell of Wallace; step-grandchildren, Monica (David) Parrish and their son, Mitchell of Austin TX, Sandi (Jeff) Stone and their children, Lesley and Blake all of Rapid City, SD; 21 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; along with many other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Wallace Public School Music Department. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com. Services will be on Monday, January 28, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. (CST) at the Wallace United Methodist Church with Pastor Charles Nyamakope officiating. Burial will be in the Wallace Morning View Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m (MST) at the Bullock-Long Funeral Home in Grant. Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant is in charge of arrangements.