Delores Rae McConnell, 86, of Paxton, passed away September 22, 2018 at Centennial Park Retirement Village, North Platte, Ne. Delores was born July 3, 1932 at Sutherland, the first child and only daughter to Frances Joseph (Fritz) and Rose Constance (Sedlacek) Ecker.
As a young girl, she lived south of Paxton and attended District 16 country school through the 8th grade. She moved to Denver, Co. with her family for 2 years so her father could attend welding school, then returned to Paxton and graduated from Paxton High School in 1949. On February 16, 1950, Delores was united in marriage to Merle L. McConnell in a double ring ceremony with Bob and Maxine Perlinger at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Paxton. To this marriage, three sons were born, Patrick Ryan, Michael Kent, and Mark Stephen. During most of her married life, she was a homemaker and mother to her three boys as they grew up on the McConnell family farm at Sarben, Ne. Later in Life, after her family reached adulthood, she spent several years working as a CNA and resident transport driver for the Sutherland Care Center and enjoyed it very much.
Delores was preceded in death by her parents, Fritz and Rose Ecker; her husband, Merle; brothers, Dale, Lyle and Harold Ecker; niece and nephew, Shelley and Jeff Ecker; great grandson, Caden McConnell; great granddaughter, Korah Mullen; and daughter in law Gladys (Plugge) McConnell.
She is survived by her three sons, Patrick (Ruth), Michael (Cindy), and Mark (Sue) and families; grandchildren, Cammille, Ryan, Jessica, Nathan, and Megan; step grandchildren, Tammy, Scott, Cher, and Brad and their families; several great grandchildren; one great, great granddaughter, and extended family who loved her dearly.
As a final act of giving so that others could benefit in the future, Delores became an anatomical donor and her body was given over to the University of Nebraska Medical Center College to further the education of doctors and medical staff that are working towards their goals of becoming future life savers in society.
A very heartfelt thank you goes out to all of Delores’ attending doctors, nurses and staff at Great Plains Health and Centennial Park for making a most trying time much easier and to Carpenter Memorial Chapel for coordinating all the necessary arrangements.
A memorial has been established in her name. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Memorial Services will be at 11a.m. MT on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Paxton, Ne. with Fr. Bryan Ernest officiating. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements. Inurnment of cremains will follow the completion of the Medical Center’s educational cycle at a later date in the Paxton Cemetery.