Betty McConnell

Betty McConnell passed over the rainbow on December 15, 2024. Born Betty Eileen Thompson in Bloomfield, IA, on June 15, 1926, to Wilbur Wesley and Wilda Bernadine Smock Thompson. She attended primary through 8th grade at the Belknap school and graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1944. She married Robert McConnell on March 12, 1949. He died in August 2000. Her varied work experiences included in the office at the Morrell’s meatpacking plant in Ottumwa (1944-1949), and in Bloomfield at the Exchange Bank (1949-1954), Elsie’s Flower Shop (1976-1978), as proprietor of the Montgomery Ward Order store (1978-1986) and assisting her husband in his land improvement business for more than 40 years as his bookkeeper and “gofer.” She always said her most important job was raising their two daughters, Neila and Lynn. The community benefited from Betty’s volunteer activities, especially while her daughters were at home. Her volunteer time included serving as a Brownie Scout leader, Mother Advisor for the Order of Rainbow for Girls, room mother several years for her daughters’ classrooms, and as Sunday and Bible School teacher at the First Christian Church. Later in life, she volunteered for the Davis County Fine Arts Council where she assisted in theatrical productions. Betty was also involved with several organizations including as a member of the Order of Eastern Star for more than 60 years where she held several offices including Worthy Matron in 1959 and as a member of Past Matron’s Club. Betty also belonged to the Chautauqua Club for more than 50 years. Betty was a member of the Bloomfield Christian Church for more than 50 years and for several of those years, Betty could be found at the church on Tuesdays where she quilted with several other women. Also, she sang soprano in the choir for years and belonged to Disciple Women’s Fellowship where she served as Treasurer and President. Betty is survived by daughters Neila Seaman of Bloomfield and Lynnie (Dug) Schumacher of Kansas City, MO; grandchildren Riley (Jami) Seaman and Rachel (Brent Skelton) Seaman of Bloomfield, Cooper (Jamie Aragonez) Schumacher of Seattle, WA, Presley (Randy Richardson) Schumacher of Kansas City, MO; Brian Seaman of Pleasantville, IA, and Amy Penny of Bend, OR; great grandchildren Addyson, Zoey, Skyler, Emma, Audrina, Lyvia, Sadie, Chance, Henry, Kayden, Margo, Kolt, Kinze, James, Kayleigh, Jackson and Malia; seven nieces and nephews and their spouses and many great and great-great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, both parents, brothers Gerald Thompson and his wife Mary, and James (Phyllis) Thompson, great grandson Jase Whitten, brother-in-law Jean McConnell and his wife Lucille, sister-in-law JoAnn Dixon and her husband Bill, nephew David Thompson and niece Debi Dixon Dawson. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 21, at the Wagler Funeral Home in Bloomfield with Pastor Jim Wakelin officiating. Burial will be at the IOOF Cemetery. Visitation will open at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 20, with Order of the Eastern Star services beginning at 4:30 p.m. followed by a visitation with the family present to greet friends until 7 p.m. at the funeral home. A memorial has been established to the Bloomfield Christian Church or the family.

Betty McConnell

June 15, 1926 - December 15, 2024