Rev. Constance (Benway) THAYER

THAYER, BENWAY, COVEY, WARBURTON, NOAH, DAVIS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:46

March 1, 1946 ---- June 12, 2018

The Reverend Constance "Connie" Thayer, age 72, of rural Belmond, IA, died, Tues., June 12, 2018, at the Clarion Health and Wellness Rehabilitation Center, Clarion, IA, of complications of ALS. Funeral services will be Saturday, June 16, 2018, 10:30 AM, at the Belmond United Methodist Church, 1031 1st Street S.E.. The Rev. Leila Blackburn, Cindy Morrison, Harold Gillespie DS, and Julie Ahrens will be officiating. Interment will be in the Belmond Cemetery. Visitation with Public viewing will be Friday, June 15th, 4-7 PM at the Andrews Funeral Home, 516 1st St. S.E., Belmond. Friends may also visit with the family for one hour prior to the funeral Saturday at church, however, there will be no viewing at the church. Memorial suggestions in Connie's name include a local chapter of ALS, to the family, or to the donor's choice.

Constance "Connie" Benway, the daughter of Rex and Elveeta (Covey) Benway, was born March 1, 1946, at Chariton, IA. IN the earlier years of her life her family moved to the Belmond area, where she attended Belmond Schools and graduated from Belmond High School in the Class of 1964. Connie was united in marriage to Randall Thayer at the Belmond United Methodist Church on October 22, 1967. The couple's union was blessed with two sons Brett and Blake.

Following their marriage the couple farmed and raised their boys southwest of Belmond for nearly 27 years. In addition to helping Randy with the tasks of the farming operations, Connie was employed for many years as an administrative assistant/office manager at Farm Bureau in Clarion. She had also worked for a time at the local Abstract office and worked for a time in the Bean Sales sector at Central Soya in Belmond.

Connie very much enjoyed her role and a loving wife and partner in the farming and in raising their sons. She always looked forward to family excursions to go snowmobiling with her family and many friends. A favorite get away for winter adventure was to Brainerd, MN. In earlier years the her and Randy looked forward to weekend 500 card parties with their many farm neighbors. She truly enjoyed times spent with her family no matter what the occasion and supporting her sons in their various activities over the years as well as being at the grandchildren's activities. In more recent times Connie and Randy would take weekend journeys to toy tractor shows in the 4 state area. They later built a vast collection of the entire series of Hallmark Kiddy Race Cars. Connie and Randy also raised award winning Boxers and competed in many shows throughout the Midwest with their dogs. She also has an extensive collection of Boxer statues.

Connie also had a knack for poetry and had been recognized for some of her published writings. She also loved her cats and of course her favorite was "Maggie", her Boston Terrier. Other favorite pastimes were creating beautiful hand made needle point and knitted items and contributing her time and talents to the "Prayer Shawl" Ministries.

Not too many years ago, Connie was called into the ministry. Her course of study took her to Indianola and Sioux City, IA. Upon completion of her education she took to the pulpit as the minister at Goldfield and Woolstock Iowa United Methodist Churches. Her love for her new vocation brought with it great friendships and she blossomed in both of these congregations. Upon a very recent diagnosis the disease ALS, she continued her passions for preaching and sharing her faith up until the very last four Sunday's of her life journey. Connie kept the faith and passed away peacefully from this life with Amazing Grace and dignity.

Connie's memory will continue to burn brightly in the hearts and minds of her husband and life partner, Randy Thayer, 2664 160th St., Belmond, IA 50421; her son Brett (Lisa) Thayer, Waukee, IA, and their sons: Carter Thayer (girlfriend Savannah Warburton) Johnston, IA, Chandler Thayer (girlfriend Katelyn Noah), Cutler Thayer, and Colson Thayer, all at home with their parents in Waukee, IA; her sister Patti Davis, Houston, TX; and other extended family and friends, as well as the many members of her two church families. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her beloved son Blake Thayer at age 26, as a result of a snowmobiling accident on December 21, 1996.

http://www.andrewsfuneralhomeandfloral.com/obituary/rev-constance-connie-thayer