Connie Lee (Eganhouse) Goepfert, 77, of Wilton, and formerly of Bellevue, Iowa, died on March 23, 2024, while surrounded by those she held dearest here on Earth.
Connie was the oldest by two minutes of a set of twins born on June 22, 1946, in Bellevue, Iowa, to Mona (Clark) and John Eganhouse. She proudly identified as being a twin her entire life. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Bellevue, but throughout her life she was a faithful member of St. John’s Lutheran in Bellevue, Salem Lutheran in Andrew, Iowa, and Faith United in Maquoketa, Iowa. She was educated in Bellevue schools graduating from Bellevue High School in 1964.
On July 16, 1966, she married Lorin Arthur Goepfert at St. John’s Lutheran church in Bellevue. Together, they dairy farmed on the family farm in rural Bellevue. They were blessed with one daughter, Tina.
While a town girl by birth, she nonetheless took on the role of farmwife with diligence and dedication and was Lorin’s partner in business as well as life. From milking the cows to driving the tractor to fixing fence to cooking farm meals for the many hired teenagers and neighbors who crossed her threshold, she was by his side for every hill and valley of farm life. When asked what she was good at, she would say, “working hard.”
After Lorin’s death on April 9, 2006, she relocated to Wilton, where she enjoyed many happy years attending her grandchildren’s concerts, plays and swim meets. In August 2023, following a turn in her health, she moved into the “barndominium” on Brian and Tina’s property.
Connie was known both on her Bellevue farm and her home in Wilton for her beautiful flower beds and her hybrid day lilies, especially. In addition, she enjoyed sewing, crafting projects, riding her bike to the ice cream shop and, especially, collecting and trying new recipes from her many cookbooks and magazines.
Many a neighbor, friend and family member enjoyed a good meal and even better conversation around her kitchen table. Upon moving to Wilton, she became fond of hunting for treasures at thrift stores and the city-wide garage sales.
She was a huge animal lover who nurtured many an abandoned kitten, including her most recent furry companion, Roxy the cat. She strongly believed everything was better with a little sparkle or glitter on it. She enjoyed dancing, including country two-stepping with Lorin.
Above all, she cherished her time spent with her family, especially her daughter and beloved grandchildren, Max and Victoria. Her Christian faith was a rock and guiding force in her life, and she faced her final days knowing she was going to her true “home” in heaven with Lorin and many other loved ones.
She is survived by one daughter, Tina (Brian) Roth of Wilton, Iowa. Two grandchildren, Maxwell (Michiko Erikson) Roth of Maple Grove, MN, and Victoria (Marcus Cole) Roth of Minneapolis, MN. Also mourning her death are a sister, Patti (Jim) Eggers of Bellevue, IA; and a sister-in-law, Carol DeWulf of Hiawatha, IA; a maternal aunt, Norma Borman, of La Motte, IA; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Lorin, in 2006. Also preceding her in death are her mother, Mona (Clark) Niemann; her twin sister Bonnie Gilbert; a sister, Jeanne Eganhouse; nieces, Dawn, Michelle and Rachelle and nephews, Jason and Gene; sisters-in-law, Judy Wulf and Armilla Goepfert and brothers-in-law, Arnold Wulf and Darrell DeWulf.
Connie was laid to rest in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Bellevue following a private family service. Family, friends and neighbors may offer their condolences and remembrances of Connie at a Celebration of Life reception from 4 to 8 p.m. on April 19, 2024, at The Bellevue State Park Lodge. A prayer service and sharing of memories will begin at 6 p.m. A dinner will be provided, but people are encouraged to bring a dish to share. We all know how she loved a good potluck.
Local arrangements entrusted at Hachmann-Mier Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Bellevue.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.hachmannfuneralhome.com.