Constance Luella “Connie Lu” (Engel) Homan of North Platte, passed away on Thursday, August 22, 2024 at Elwood Care Center, in Elwood, NE surrounded by her family. She was born on November 15, 1926 at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin to Jess Leroy and Kathryn Evelyn (Harlin) Engel.
Some of her fondest memories of childhood included swimming and ice skating on Lake Monona, across the street from her childhood home. She graduated from Madison’s East High School in 1945 at the “top of the bottom third of her class”, which was one of her many “Momisms”. Connie attended the University of Wisconsin for two years, before continuing her education at Madison General School of Nursing, from which she graduated in 1950.
While attending the University of Wisconsin she met the love of her life, Marvin “Marv” Paul Homan on a blind date to a fraternity dance. They were married in Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, aka “The Chicken Coop” in Monona, WI on November 11, 1950. After marriage, they moved to North Platte, where they built, owned and operated the Castle Motel with Marv’s family. Shortly thereafter, they started their family and were blessed with six children. “Children are such a comfort.” She was able to be a stay-at-home mom for more than 15 years. In 1967, she took a nursing refresher course and became a part time nurse at Memorial Hospital in North Platte. Connie later became a nursing instructor at Mid-Plains Community College, for 20 years. Connie attained her Bachelor of Science (1978) and Master of Science in Education (1986), both from Kearney State College.
Marv and Connie also owned and operated Old West Candies. They enjoyed golfing and snow skiing. In her later years she enjoyed painting ceramics, making her own stamped cards, embroidery, playing solitaire, pitch, and bridge. She thoroughly enjoyed her month-long trips to several southeastern states with her sisters. She was a member of the Altar Society, Catholic Daughters, Altrusa, RSVP, and the Goodfellow Shoe Fund.
Connie was preceded in death by her husband, Marv; her parents; brothers, Jim (Mary) and Har (Gen); brother-in-law, Dick Neumann; son-in-law, Sandy Neal; daughter-in-law, Kate Talmage Homan.
She is survived by her daughters, Margaret “Peggy” Neal of Tryon, NE and Kathy (Gary) Stoddard of Cheyenne, WY; sons, Paul (Jeannie) of Lexington, NE, Tom (Patricia) of Rocky Mount, VA, Tim (Laurie) of Verona, WI, and John (Kimberly) of Mechanicsville, VA; sisters, Betty Jo (Ken) Kruska of Monona, WI, Mary Kathryn Neumann of Lodi, WI; 18 Grandchildren; 14 Great-Grandchildren and counting; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Rosary will be held at 10:00 before the Mass. Burial will follow at North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be held 1:00-7:00P.M., with family present 5:00-7:00, Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.
“Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite. Have pleasant dreams and God Bless your soul. “