Connie’s life journey began on December 15, 1956 in Phoenix, Arizona, a daughter born to Paul and Mary (Hoover) Haning. Her journey would not keep her in Arizona long before the family moved to California just two weeks later where her father began his job with Jet Propulsion Laboratories (JPL). After spending her first few years in Pasadena and Azusa California, the family would relocate to Barstow, CA in 1961.
Connie grew up in Barstow where she graduated from Barstow High School in 1975. After a few odd jobs, one being the best cocktail waitress at Steak Eaters restaurant, she began working for the United States Post Office. There she would hold several positions, but I’m sure many in Barstow will remember her as the “nice” window clerk. She received numerous awards while her tenure at the Post Office, including letters from very satisfied customers regarding her excellent customer service. Her last years working at the post office were spent behind the scenes working the box section and “throwing” mail. Connie retired in December 2011 after over 30 years of service.
After retiring Connie spent some time in Barstow, then moving to Idaho Falls. She left Idaho Falls to move to Painesville, OH before finally relocating to Washington state in the fall of 2013 to be with her sisters Sherre and Lisa. Connie most recently was living with her sisters and brother-in-law in Sultan.
Connie loved dancing as a child and that passion never left her. Although her lung disease made it hard for her to breathe and require oxygen, she still found the energy to dance when she could. Connie was a gentle and kind soul and touched the lives of all those she met with her infectious smile, just like her mother. Her love for animals was one of her passions, and no more so than her love for her beloved dog, Teddy Bear. She recently found a hobby she enjoyed and that was diamond painting and has completed many. She could make you laugh. If you ever played a board game with her, she would cheat if you weren't looking and laugh about it later and call herself out. She had a very warped sense of humor that we all loved, and we all know how she loved to pose for pictures with that famous finger of hers. She often joked with Sherre that they should start their own reality show as the two of them thought they were hilarious. Connie was a free spirit and although that flame was doused for a time, it was coming back. She was living her life again and accepting what was. She truly was a loving, caring, and compassionate person.
Connie will be missed beyond words. Connie leaves behind her sister Sherre Haning Hankinson, Sultan, WA, a brother Blaine Haning (Lisa M McFadden) Beverly, MA, a sister Lisa Haning Roberts (Dean), niece Mary Johnson (Bruce), nephews Michael Becker (Leslie), Bob Becker, Al Becker (Margie Jamison), David Becker, great nieces Jessica Johnson, Brittany Becker, Layla Becker, great nephews Chris Johnson (Holly Kirk) Alan Becker (Chelsie), Ryan LaFranier, David Becker, Jr., and six great-great nieces and nephews. Connie is preceded in death by a brother, Don “Butchy” Leroy Ness, a sister, Linda Kay Mennecke, both parents, Paul Earl Haning and Mary L Enderud, step-father Jesse “Bud” Enderud, and both maternal and paternal grandparents.
Visitation will be on Friday, February 7, 2020 from 3-5 pm. A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, February 8, 2020 from 2-4 pm at Purdy Kerr Funeral home, 409 Main Street, Monroe, WA 98272. Connie’s wishes were to be cremated.
There will be a celebration of her life reception following the service at Ixtapa Mexican Restaurant, 507 W Stevens Ave #9453, Sultan, WA.
Connie was diagnosed with Interstitial Lung Disease, IPF – Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in 2017. Although many strides have been achieved, continued research is desperately needed so hopefully one day there will be a cure for this disease.
In memory of Connie, if you would like to commemorate her and her desire to find a cure to this disease, please consider donating for research to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio St, Ste 500, Chicago, IL 60611, www.pulmonary.fibrosis.org.
