Connie Marie Kunzeman | 73 | Marietta, GA

On Monday, July 28th, proud mother and loyal friend, Connie Marie Kunzeman, died at the age of 73 surrounded by her loving family. Born and raised in Pittsfield, Illinois, a proud descendant of German immigrants, she loved spending time on the farm with her dad.Connie graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1970 and graduated from nurses training as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1977. She later worked at Illini Hospital, working in nearly every unit, but the emergency room was her favorite because of the fast paced work. At the hospital she met forever friends, Karen, Vicki and Grace. Together they were the funniest bunch who are known for their wacky sense of humor, brutally honest advice, and the best hugs when you really need one. She met many other fine nurses over the years while working at the county health department in Illinois and as a home health liaison in Georgia.
If Connie had not decided to be a nurse, she would have been a school teacher. She was always the first to sign up as a room mother each year at her children’s schools and loved being a part of the school board and PTA.
In the summer of 1991, warmer weather brought Connie and her family to the Hotlanta suburbs. She loved having her friends and family visit and delighted in taking them to her favorite tourist destinations like the Stone Mountain laser show for a picnic dinner, the World of Coke to see their faces as they tasted flavors from around the world and to the Varsity for a slaw dog. Connie’s faith was very important to her and upon relocating to Georgia she became active at her local Lutheran Church where she met unconditional friends like Dorothy and her sister from God, Shirley. She loved volunteering at MUST Ministries and serving lunch there on Sundays.
You knew it was getting close to Christmas every year when you walked into her house and the delicious smell of baked goods met you at the door. Every available surface in the house was covered with cooling Christmas cookies ready to be packaged and taken to kind neighbors like Scott and Judy, friends, coworkers and anyone else that Connie thought needed a pick me up.
In the late 90s, Connie won a cooking contest for her potato soup recipe that quickly became her son-in-law’s favorite dish and was requested by him for his birthday dinner every year.
In retirement, she was busier than during her working years. She joked that her daughter needed to make an appointment to see her because she spent so much time at the senior center learning how to play Mahjong and learning new crochet stitches. The senior center is where she met dear friends like Ruth, Susan and Mary.
She enjoyed sharing her love of crocheting so much that for years she made hats for cancer patients regularly through Happy Caps. One day at her chemo treatment, a woman sat down next to her wearing a hat using yarn and stitches that she recognized. When she complemented the woman on the beautiful hat, the woman removed the cap to let her get a closer look and told her about the mission of Happy Caps. Connie grinned as she examined the hat and told the woman that she had made it. What a divine coincidence!
Connie also loved the neighborhood in which she lived, and was blessed with the best neighbors that were there when she really needed them like Sara, Camille and Howard. Whether it was surprising her with a firework display on her birthday or just touching her arm during a visit they were always there.
She and Alysun shared many fantastic adventures over the years, traveling the world to beautiful places including Machu Picchu, the Galapagos Islands, Iceland, Cuba, and countless cruises to the Caribbean.
Connie is survived by her two beloved cats, daughter Alysun (Michael) and son Shane (Lisa).
Those blessed to know her will always remember her for her friendship, selflessness and deep laughter. There is nothing Connie would not do for her family and friends.
Although we mourn her, we rejoice in the knowledge that she is in a better place with her family, good friends and her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Connie did not want people to cry for her but instead to celebrate her life and remember all the good times they shared with her.