Connie Jane Sponheim, 72, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family on the morning of June 13, 2020. She was born August 25,1947, in Sidney, MT, to Kermit and Gyda (Holey) Swenson. Connie was the fifth of seven children.

Connie attended elementary school at both Dore and East Fairview. During her 8th grade year the East Fairview school held a contest to select a school mascot. Connie won the contest and the school mascot became the Midgets. In 1965 she graduated from Fairview High School, after which she attended Valley City State College for a year. From 1967-1968 she attended Lutheran Bible Institute in Issaquah, WA. There, she obtained a degree in Parish Education.

Connie married her husband Lyle on August 24, 1968, the day before her 21st birthday. After getting married, Lyle and Connie moved to Minnesota for a few years where their two sons (Eric and Paul) were born. After moving back to Fairview, their family grew with the birth of two daughters (Tina and Sara). Not long after returning to Fairview, Connie and Lyle moved to live on the farm where she grew up north of town.

Connie was always very active in the church. At various locations and times she served as church secretary, Sunday school superintendent, led Bible studies, sang in the choir, served meals, and sewed quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Connie had a special love for sewing quilts, making hundreds of them throughout her lifetime, including numerous special “Grandma quilts” for all her grandkids.

Connie enjoyed baking for her family, especially her homemade bread. She and Lyle would plant a large vegetable garden every year, and would often comment that Lyle didn’t get the rows quite straight enough. Her flower beds were another of her loves. She found great joy in growing and giving away gladiolas each year to her friends and family. Connie enjoyed repairing old sewing machines. In her down time Connie would read and do puzzles.

Connie is survived by her husband Lyle Sponheim; her four children and their spouses: Eric (Sharon) Sponheim, Paul (Cindy) Sponheim, Tina (Christopher) Murphy, and Sara (Jonathan) Singer; seven grandchildren: Isaac Sponheim, Laurel Sponheim, Joshua Sponheim, Noah Singer, Jeremiah Singer, Abigail Sponheim, Naomi Sponheim; five step-grandchildren: Jordan Street, Dakota Street, Ashleigh Sponheim (daughter Dorothy), Daniel Raleigh, Joey Raleigh; six siblings: Wayne Swenson, Susan (Oscar) Schock, Janice (Milo) Hunter, Carolyn (Doug) Nenow, Laurie (Chuck) Bigwood, and Kerry (Darrell) Finsaas; sister-in-law Arlene (Larry) Willis; brother-in-law Dale (Tammy) Sponheim; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents Kermit and Gyda Swenson, son Joel, grandson Ian Sponheim, her in-laws Severt and Gunny Sponheim, nephew Bryan Schock, and sister-in-law Glorianne Swenson.

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