Constance Louise (Celak) Gugin

Constance Louise (Celak) Litzenberg Gugin, 90, of Woodburn, Oregon, died peacefully on January 8th, 2026 at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Hillsboro, Oregon. A memorial service will take place in the mausoleum at Lincoln Memorial Park in Portland, Oregon on March 6th, 2026 at 11:00am.

Connie was born on June 22nd, 1935, in Omaha, Nebraska to Bernice and Henry Celak Sr. During her high school years, Connie became fluent in shorthand and was on the girls’ 1949 championship softball team, the Bobby-Soxers. She lived in Omaha until a decision was made to move to Portland, Oregon in 1954. Even though Connie was nearly 19 at the time and protested the move, her mother insisted Connie move with them. However, she maintained her high school friendships with her three closest girlfriends, Marilyn, Delores, and Ann throughout her life. Later in life, she often said even though she didn’t want to move to Oregon, she was so glad she did. She loved the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Once in Oregon, Connie took a job with a telephone company in Portland. In 1957, she married Donald Litzenberg and they had three children: David, Jeff, and Doug. In 1977, she married Harold Gugin. Connie worked for many years for the State of Oregon’s Medical Examiners Office until she retired.

Connie’s biggest love was her family. To her, family wasn’t only her immediate family, it was siblings, nieces, great-nieces and great-great-nieces and nephews, grandkids and her great grandchildren. Every new spouse, partner or friend was treated with the same love and welcoming. Connie gave of herself in so many ways over the years: hosting holiday dinners, taking trips with extended family, having sleepovers, attending many school functions and sporting events, babysitting, being at every high school and college graduation and wedding, watching online when she could no longer travel. She was a mainstay in our lives, a matriarch of our family. She loved her family with her whole heart, and we are all the better for it.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents, sister, brothers and both husbands. Connie leaves behind her sons David (Julie), Jeff (Brenda), Doug (Mayla), seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association.