Connie Louise Dalrymple was born to Jess and Hazel Kirkby on April 30, 1918 in rural Ottawa County near the Bennington State Lake.

She had a love for horses as did her mother and she spent time on horseback in the pastures and woods surrounding the lake. Connie was a tap dancer and performed on stage at the Brown Grand Theatre in Concordia. She also had an interest in photography where she earned wages for her skills.

Connie found her true love and married Tommy Dalrymple. They loved to dance, spend time at the lake, travel to the Rocky Mountains, and spend holidays with family and friends. She had a passion for hairstyling and graduated from cosmetology school at the top of her class. Subsequently, Connie started a hair styling business with a salon in her home. She and Tommy were members of the United Church of Bennington.

Many a weekend and holiday were spent at Kanopolis Lake where Tommy and Connie had a trailer house and ski boat. The entire family enjoyed the swimming, skiing, cookouts, and celebrations shared there over the years.

In the gardens, "Bub" helped with the heavy lifting chores while Connie tended the flowers and vegetables. Keeping the house, yard, and all of the gardens neat and organized was always a priority. Canning beets, relish, and tomatoes was always done with special care and great attention to detail.

Family gatherings on major holidays were also celebrated on the farm. Depending on the theme the garage would be "transformed" or the house would be decorated. These were always festive and fun filled occasions. Music and singing were an important part of the mix.

Connie moved from the farm to McCall Manor where she was excited to "start from scratch" and decorate her own apartment. Fashion clothing and interior design were two of her passions. McCall Manor produced a television commercial that featured Connie "smartly dressed" and showing the interior design work she had done in her apartment. She always participated in the numerous activities at McCall Manor. Connie even won a prize for her scarecrow costume at one of the Halloween parties.

When Connie moved to the Good Samaritan Society – Minneapolis, she welcomed the "back home" feeling and the quiet small town setting was so much more pleasing than Salina's "hustle and bustle".

Connie was a strong woman and never lost that "pioneer spirit" even though she was well into her 90's. As many, many people say, Connie is a person who will never be forgotten.

She was preceded in death by her husband and her brother.

Survivors include her daughter Dixie Bell and her husband Eddie; grandchildren Chris Bell and his wife Penny, Darsi Eveland and her husband Mark; and great-grandchildren Matthew and Mackenzie Eveland; and niece Sheri Hunt.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, September 9 at the United Church of Bennington. Burial will be in Bennington Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Monday at the Wilson Family Funeral Home, Minneapolis where the family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00. Memorials may be made to the United Church of Bennington.