Connie Surls

Connie Surls, 83, of Iowa Falls, passed away Sunday, December 3, 2023 at Scenic Manor. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Saturday, December 9, 2023 at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Iowa Falls. She will be laid to rest at the Union Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 AM until service time on Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Connie Surls Scholarship Fund. Woodley Funeral Home of Iowa Falls is caring for Connie and her family. Connie Jean Surls, 83, departed the world of sickness and pain and into the heavenly world on December 3, 2023, with her family by her side. Connie Jean Surls was born on December 23, 1939, to Marjorie LaVonne (Judson) Squier and Kenneth LeRoy Surls. She grew up in Iowa Falls and was a graduate of IFHS in 1957. She began her career at age 16, a senior in high school, working for Norm Ingebritson at Commercial Bookkeeping where she prepared income tax and monthly statements for many businesses in Iowa Falls. On June 16, 1957, she married Franklin W. Thies and to this union Bret, Tony, Ann, Bruce and Jill were born. Connie moved from the farm to town in 1977 with her children. She was then hired in the accounting office at Farmland Foods. After a few years, she then accepted a position at Competition Chemicals in Iowa Falls. In 1989, she decided to move to Des Moines and became a staff assistant for Senator Tom Harkin. Later, she became an Executive Secretary for the state USDA in Waukee. After taking the government buy out, she came back to Iowa Falls and received her degree in medical technology from Ellsworth Community College. She became a medical transcriptionist for McFarland Clinic and later worked for Dr. Pisney at Ellsworth Family Medicine as an office assistant. Even during retirement, she continued to work part time for Hatlevig Homes to appease her love of being a people person. Connie loved to do crafts and taught ceramics for several years at Connie’s Ceramics. She also loved to sew and make items for her kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, and friends. She participated in many craft shows to show her creativity and in later years sold her wares at local businesses. Connie truly enjoyed watching football and basketball. Always asking friends of family what channel they were playing on. She became an avid ticket holder for the Iowa State Cyclones and even had an ISU license plate the said “TOOTISU”. (Connie’s given nickname from her mom + ISU). Majority of her sport watching were for the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Minnesota Vikings. Connie was a political enthusiast. She ran for Clerk of Court, volunteered her time many years at the polls and loved working for Senator Harkin. Connie was proud to be a Cadet. She played the bass saxophone in high school. After graduation, she organized and planned many class reunions in which she truly enjoyed getting together with her classmates. Her main accomplishment was her love for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. If it was posting and sharing on Facebook, attending sporting events, dance recitals, graduations etc., she loved to spend time with them as much as possible and be a part of their lives. Connie Surls is survived by her children, Bret (Beth) Thies of Indianola, Tony (Mari) Thies of Iowa Falls, Ann (Tom) Humphrey of Polk City, Bruce (Laura) Thies of Iowa Falls and Jill (Kenny) Agan of Ankeny; grandchildren: Brooke Williams, Brandon Thies, Ryan Humphrey, Jaime Vieth, Ashlee Waithanji, Emilee Humphrey, Andrew Humphrey, Austin Thies, Brayden Thies, Brodie Thies, Olivia Agan, Ella Agan, Katie Thies and Sam Agan and 12 great-grandchildren with 2 on the way. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Tributes

Connie Surls

December 23, 1939 - December 3, 2023