Jaunita M. Connely passed away at her home in Broken Bow, Neb., April 25, 2018 at the age of 95. Services were held on April 30, 2018 at Govier Bros. Mortuary with Pastor Todd Karges officiating.

Jaunita Maxine (Maier) Connely was born March 9, 1923 to Michael J. and Thressa B. (Price) Maier at Callaway. The family lived north of Callaway until she was three, then moved to a farm south of Callaway where she attended a country school. In 1936, she moved to Rose Valley northeast of Broken Bow.

It was at the Rose Valley School that she met John Connely and the two were married April 5, 1941. Together they raised a family of three - Judith, Claris and Kay.

Jaunita enjoyed the country life including raising chickens and planting a garden and flowers. She also loved to sew and create which led to joining Ilene Powell in opening The Fabric Center in Broken Bow in 1961 which they operated until 1974. During this time she especially enjoyed helping the young people with their 4- H projects.

Following the death of John on June 2, 1982, she moved to Broken Bow where she again worked with sewing at Ben Franklin's fabric department.

On October 7, 1989, she married long-time friend Dean Gracey.

She made one final move in February 2015 to Off Broadway apartments. In March 2018, she celebrated her 95th birthday there with her friends and staff.

She is survived by her two daughters Judith (Jesus Moreno) Connely of Spring Valley, Calif. and Kay Kapustka of Cambridge and one son Claris (Charlene) Connely of Broken Bow; five grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren, one sister Reta Miller of Broken Bow; stepdaughter Jill Strong of Grand Island; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands and son­ in-law Gary Kapustka.



Published in Custer County Chief on May 3, 2018