Verda Eileen McConnell

Verda E. McConnell passed away on July 31, 2018 at the age of 102. She was born on April 24, 1916 on a farm near Lebanon, NE and she graduated from Lebanon HS in 1933. She attended Hastings College, Hastings, NE, and Kearney State Teacher’s College in Kearney, NE, and Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, CO where she earned a Master's Degree in Home Economics. Following the death of her first husband, Verda moved to Wilsonville, NE and began teaching to support her three children. During her years in Wilsonville, she taught every grade. After her marriage to Glen McConnell, the family moved to Westminster, CO. Verda continued her teaching career at Adams City High School, Adams City, CO where she taught for 20 years. She started the occupational boy’s food program and placed many of her graduates as cooks in local restaurants. She mentored many new teachers and was active in the Teacher’s organization and the District’s Credit Union for many years.

Verda’s hobbies were many: sewing, quilting, alterations, gardening and canning fruits and vegetables, traveling to exotic places with Ports of Call mystery trips, golfing and walking. At the age of 80 she walked the Bolder Boulder 10k Walk/Run (6.2 miles) and she walked every year after that until she was 88. She has several 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place medals to prove it.

Verda was a member of the educational sorority, Delta Kappa Gamma where she served as President and other offices. She was on the Advisory Board of the Adams City Credit Union for many years. After her retirement in 1976 she was active in the Retired Teachers Associations of Adams City and Westminster, CO.

Verda was preceded in death by her husbands, V. Dale Lomax, Glen J. McConnell, and her daughter, Betty Felder. She is survived by four children, Ron Lomax (Sharon), Jim Lomax (Claire), Karen (Lomax) Sandstead (Moe), and Gene McConnell (Marilyn). She had 12 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

Verda was an inspiration to her family and all who knew her. She was a woman of amazing courage, incredible energy, unfailing devotion to her family and teaching.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Condolences may be left on this website and the family requests that any donations be sent to a charity of the giver’s choice.