Iva was born on a snowy night to Earnest Looney and Wilma Rogers Looney on November 30, 1925, in Linn Creek, Missouri. Iva was the first of 12 children. She was raised during the Depression but grew up on the farm where her mom had a big garden, so Iva and the girls learned to cook from their Mom. They were taught how to make great meals when things got lean. Iva and her sisters all turned out to be fabulous cooks. Iva could take what looked like nothing and make a wonderful meal.
During World War II, Iva built air planes in Fairfax for the war effort. Like many young women of her time, she did her part to end the war and bring the boys home. After World War II, she went to work for Panhandle Eastern in the secretarial pool. During this time, she met a very smitten and persistent young man, Thomas Patrick Connelly. They married on May 29, 1948. They started a family and had two children, Kathleen Ann and Lawrence Patrick. She quit work at Panhandle to be a stay-at-home wife and mother. After the children were both in school, Iva attended the Aladdin Beauty School in the early 60s. Upon completion of her studies she opened her own successful beauty salon. In 1964, they moved from Independence, Missouri to Overland Park, where they lived for 45 years.
Iva and Tom were both hard headed individuals and had minds of their own, but they were married for 47 good years and loved each other dearly. They both were nurturing parents who made sure their children had wonderful educations and grew up to be successful and well-rounded people.
Iva cared for Tom the last 15 years of his life, lovingly and gently as was her way. She also took care of Tom’s mother, Aileen, the final 10 years of her life.
For the past 15 years, Iva has had debilitating pain in her back and knee. Iva’s children helped her stay in her home in Mission, Kansas, where she lived until her death on February 19th.
Iva was a strong woman who loved God, her family and friends, and life dearly.
Iva was preceded in death by her parents, Earnest Looney and Wilma Rogers Looney; husband, Thomas Patrick Connelly and her son, Lawrence Patrick Connelly. She is survived by her daughter, Kathleen A. Connelly, Mission, Kansas; grandson, James Patrick Bales (Becky), Round Rock, Texas; grandson, Thomas Daniel Bales (Amy), Shawnee, KS; granddaughter, Melissa Kathleen Owen (Cody), Divide, CO; great grandchildren, Reed Matthew Bales, Rory Joel Bales, James Thomas Owen and Bailey Ann Owen; grandpups, Harley, Lady, Angus and Lily and great grandpups, Jax and Lexi.
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