|
Classmate Memories of Connie If you have memories you would like to add about Connie, email chenoa62@thinkpint.com The following piece was sent by Judy Mehrkens Bertsche. Julie Zook, Connie's daughter, gave permission to put the piece on Connie's page. When queried about the author, Julie said, "Jesse Smart and my dad worked together at Funk's Seed in the 1970s. As such, Jesse and his wife, Susan, have been long-time family friends of my parents. Jesse is also the former mayor of Bloomington." This
is the piece written in September 1997 by Mr. Jesse Smart. I'm Jesse Smart. During the past two weeks, the world has buried two famous ladies - Princess Diana and Mother Teresa. While almost all eyes have been glued to those events as they were played out on TV, Bloomington citizens were quietly mourning the loss of a local princess. Our local princess bore no titles except wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Her name is Connie Zook. Connie has shown great dignity and class as she quietly battled cancer for the past four years. Susan and I have known Connie for 30 years during which time we watched her rear two fine children and give support to her husband as he faced some job related uncertainties beyond his control. We watched her beam as grandson, Zack, arrived and brought great joy. She continued her work at First of America while undergoing chemotherapy and the related adversities. Whenever anyone saw Connie, her smile beamed through the suffering as she was more interested in a friend's problems, brushing her own aside. When God finally saw fit to remove Connie from the world afflictions and take her to a place free of pain and hardship, we saw an unprecedented outpouring from family, friends and acquaintances. People from at least four states stood in line for over an hour to give her family support while expressing wonderful comments and memories. Again, although not famous and not being followed by photographers, Connie has helped so many. She set an example of courage to those who fear death. She exhibited her deep faith in God and His plan for us. And she taught us hope for the future and reminded us to look ahead, not back, as we celebrate her life. Her long funeral procession, surpassed in magnitude by very few locally, bore no standing crowds and no cameras, although a WJBC news car was included. It left a church overflowing with love for a life, although too short, well spent in serving others - an example of ultimate love. Many of us as we said "Good-bye", thanked God for sharing Connie with us before He took her back home. This has been Jesse Smart on WJBC's Forum. I
first remember Connie at about age 8. I think she moved to Ocoya at
that time. I was thrilled. There was someone my age, my class, within
walking distance of our farm. I could not have been more pleased.
Her mother, Mildred, one of my many second moms, was the Ocoya Central
operator. Connie and I, on occasion, took over that job when Mildred
needed a break. Connie and I were in Brownies and Girl Scouts together
and also in 4-H for several years which meant going to all the meetings
together, 4-H camp, and county fairs. We also had the long school
bus ride together every day. During the summers it was swimming lessons
together and most afternoons spent together as well, either at her
house or our farm. Bottom line...lots and lots of early good times
together. I also had the good fortune to relive those times with Connie
the last few years of her life as we, once again, spent many good
times together, this time by phone and mail. I remember Connie told
me at that time one of her early memories of us was that people use
to think we were sisters because they thought we looked alike. I can't
imagine a childhood without Connie. Submitted by Theresa Ripley |
