Constance A. Reszel

Constance A. (Ames) Reszel, 78, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 12, 2022, at MercyOne Hospice House in Johnston. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, December 31, 2022 at McLaren’s Chapel in West Des Moines with a visitation from 10 a.m. until service time.

Connie was born April 11, 1944 in Leon, Iowa. She often joked she wished she had been born a week earlier as her favorite number was 4 and she would have liked to have had a birthdate of 4/4/44. Connie lived in Allerton until the age of 5 when her family moved to West Des Moines, Iowa using the Rocket rail line. She graduated from Valley High School in May of 1962. Connie met her future husband, Andy, in elementary school (Nellie Phenix Elementary) but would lose track of him when he transferred to Sacred Heart schools. Connie and Andy connected again in their adult lives and married in 1974. She enjoyed the bowling leagues the she joined and often traveled the country for bowling competitions. Connie made many friends throughout her life and had a special connection with each one, and her greatest friend was Laurie Cleaver.

The greatest loves of her life were her three sons: Paul, Christopher, and Peter. She would often talk about how proud she was of them and how much she loved them. She also loved every grandchild she was blessed with: Tim (Caileen), John, Cheyenne (Jonathan), Adam (Chantel), Noah (Terah), Joseph, Olivia, Corbin, and Travis.

Connie is survived by her sons; Paul (Paula) of West Des Moines, Christopher (Randee) of Urbandale, and Peter (Trisha) of Johnston; stepdaughters, Shawnda Reszel of Vernonia, OR, and Tawnya (Jack) Poe of Banks, OR. She is also survived by her sisters, Cathy (Bill) and Carol (Ray); and brother, Ed (Darlene). Connie also is survived by her great-grandchildren; Aria, Mason, Ezekiel, and Jonah. She is expecting twin great-grandchildren and another great-granddaughter in 2023. Connie also has many nieces and nephews that she greatly loved.

Connie was preceded in death by her husband, Andy; infant son, Joseph; parents, Charles and Nellie Ames; sister, M. Adrienne Thornburgh; beloved daughter-in-law, Celeste; nephew Malcolm Thornburgh, in-laws, Henryk, Stania, and August; and stepdaughter Dezra Reszel.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family for a future designation.