Philip E. Connell

CONNELL, MORGAN, WARD, KIELY, KREMER, KRAMER, DAVIS, THOMAS, SASSEN, NEHLSEN

Posted By: Harvey W. Henry (email)
Date: 3/17/2009 at 09:59:06

Philip E. Connell
Born: November 03, 1916
Died: February 15, 2009
Services:Memorial Mass will be celebrated Thursday, February 19, 2009 at 11:00 am at the Newman Catholic Student Center, where the family will greet friends after 10:00am. A reception will follow the service. Burial will be at a later date at Greenwood Cemetery, Cedar Falls. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the University of Iowa Foundation, St. Mary’s Church or the Oaknoll Educational Fund.

Phil was born November 3, 1916 in Cedar Falls, the son of Charles J. and Margaret
Morgan Connell. He lived in Cedar Falls until 1938. Phil received his BA from Iowa State Teacher’s College (UNI) and his MA from the University of Colorado. Phil married Isabel Alice Ward in Cedar Falls on January 24, 1942.

Phil was a life long educator, starting as a teacher and principal at Thompson High School from 1939-41. From 1941-42 he taught high school and junior college in Webster City. After serving in the Naval Air Corps during World War II, Phil came to the University of Iowa where he served in various capacities and was the Assistant to the President of the University of Iowa from 1948-1970. In 1970 Phil and Izzy moved to Columbia, Missouri where he served as executive assistant to the President at the University of Missouri until his retirement in 1987. They returned to Iowa City in 1987.

Phil was a member of St. Mary’s Church, the University Athletic Club where he was a charter member, the University of Iowa Alumni Association, the Council for International Visitors to Iowa City, Johnson County Irish and a volunteer at the Johnson County/ Iowa City Senior Center. Phil was actively involved with Optimists International serving as president of Iowa City Optimists and District Governor and Vice President of Optimist International. He was a member of the Iowa National Heritage Foundation.

Phil was an avid golfer, reader, and enjoyed travelling, especially to Northern Minnesota’s Burntside Lake and Ireland. Phil’s grandchildren, nieces and nephews saw him as “legend in his own time”, the pillar of family reunions and gatherings where he was always the “mostly reliable” source of family history and great Irish humor. He was a wonderful father, grandfather, uncle, brother, father-in-law and friend.

Phil is survived by his daughter and four grandchildren, Susan Connell (Mike Kiely) of Coralville and their children, Anne Elizabeth Kiely (Michael) Kremer of Evanston, Il. and Thomas Phil Connell Kiely of Denver, Colorado; his son-in-law, Michael Kramer of Glenview, IL and children, Elizabeth Jane (Patrick) Sassen and Michael Patrick (Gina) Kramer, both of Chicago; three great grandchildren, Tierney Sassen, Connell Sassen and Francesca Kramer; three siblings, Mary Davis of Waterloo, Charles Connell (Joanne) of Mt. Prospect, IL, and Margaret Ann Benda (Thomas) of Dubuque and long time friend and companion, Frankie Masterson of Coralville.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Isabel, his daughter Mary Elizabeth Kramer and siblings, Jane Nehlsen and James Connell.