Jill Rebecca (Campbell) Kellner Connolly (2024)
CAMPBELL, CONNOLLY, KELLNER, SCHAEFER
Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 12/4/2024 at 09:38:14
Merle Hay Funeral Home
Des Moines, IowaNovember 8, 1957 - November 25, 2024
Jill Rebecca Connolly, 67, was born on November 8th, 1957, in El Paso, TX, and ended her long battle with Scleroderma on November 25, 2024, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center.
Jill was born the oldest of 4 children to William and Ruth Campbell. Her early childhood was spent living in Pennsylvania before her family eventually landed in Grinnell, IA where she made many lifelong friendships and graduated from Grinnell High School in 1975. After high school she attended Central College and graduated in 1979 with a degree in Business.
Jill moved to Des Moines, IA in the late 70s and married Michael Kellner with whom she had her 4 children. In 1995 the family moved to Winterset, IA where Jill continued to live until her death.
Jill was a member of the First United Methodist Church where she met Susan Barrick, who quickly became her best friend and part of the family.
Jill remarried her loving husband Dennis Connolly on March 4th of 2006.
In early 2013 Jill was diagnosed with Scleroderma. Jill became very active in Scleroderma support groups and was a support group leader, where she helped others understand their diagnosis, seek treatment, and find knowledgeable providers.
Jill was also an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, rarely missing a game. Even staying home to watch Iowa go into double overtime while going into labor with her youngest child. She enjoyed going to shows at the Civic Center with husband and friends Sue and Dave Clark. She loved gardening, had several large gardens and a house full of plants. Holidays were always a favorite time. She enjoyed decorating her home inside and out, especially for Halloween and Christmas, making costumes and crafts and spending time with her grandkids.
Jill is survived by her husband Dennis Connolly; children Jonathan (Nicki) Kellner, Rebecca (Brad) Schaefer, and Joseph (Ellyn) Kellner; six grandchildren Collin, Alex, Amelie, Cecily, Elodie, and Ingrid; her mother Ruth Campbell; three brothers Curtis Campbell, Scott Campbell, and Matthew (Kate) Campbell; as well as many nieces and nephews and many loving friends.
Jill was preceded by her father William (Papa Bill) Campbell and son Joshua Kellner.
Please join us celebrating her life Thursday, December 5th at 10 am at Merle Hay Funeral Home, 4400 Merle Hay Rd, Des Moines, IA 50310.
In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to Heartland Chapter Scleroderma Foundation (scleroderma.org/HeartlandChapter) and Thundercat’s Cat Rescue c/o Bruce Montgomery, 25105 Dewberry, Unionville, MO 63565.
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