Shirley Ann (Sexton) McConnell

Shirley A. McConnell, age 87, of Cresco, IA, passed away on June 5, 2022, surrounded by family at Regional Health Services of Howard County.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Notre Dame Catholic Church on Thursday, June 9, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. with Father Daniel Knipper officiating.  Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery.  Visitation will be held at Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. with a rosary recited at 3:30 p.m. and a parish scripture service at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Thursday.

Shirley Ann Sexton was born on January 18, 1935 to Joseph and Ethel (Hanlon) Sexton in Winneshiek County, IA. Shirley graduated from Canton High School. On October 26, 1953, she and James McConnell were united in marriage at St. Agnes Catholic Church of Plymouth, Iowa.  To this union were born six children. The couple moved to Alta Vista, IA; moving to Cresco in 1974.  Over the years, she would stay busy with jobs including cooking for the Alta Vista School, Sara Lee, mowing cemeteries, and her most cherished job of being a nurse’s aide at the hospital.   

Although she was kept busy with her work, Shirley still found time to enjoy life. She enjoyed gambling and was always on the go shopping and going to various antique stores. Shirley did not always make purchases, but enjoyed reminiscing over different items.  She found beauty in flowers and stories she read in books. Shirley kept her mind busy reading and working on crossword puzzles. She attended and hosted card parties, retired hospital staff parties, and events held by the Red Hat Ladies. As an active member of the community, she belonged to HOCA and volunteered her time at the hospital. Most beloved to Shirley was her family; she would find any way to spend time with them. She was especially proud that all 5 of her grandchildren are in the medical field.

Shirley is survived by her children Richard McConnell, Cresco IA; Linda McConnell, Cresco, IA; Mike (Lori) McConnell, Cresco, IA; Tim McConnell, Cresco, IA; Kate (Kevin) Praska, Rochester, MN; grandchildren Zach Bethke, Newton, IA; Emily (Evan) Freese, Grundy Center, IA; Jesse (Kasey) McConnell, Rochester, MN; Von Praska, Bend, OR; Cori Praska, Madison, WI; siblings Monica (Roger) Malli, Cresco, IA; John Sexton, Cresco, IA; and Sharon (Bob) Boyd, Mechanicsville,IA; great-grandchildren Galen Bethke, Axel Freese, Crue Freese and Veda Freese; and sister-in-law Mary McConnell.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband James and their infant son Joseph; brothers Earl (Isabelle) Sexton, James Sexton and Jerome Sexton; sister-in-law Mary Jane (Leonard) McCabe, brothers-in-law Eddie (Margaret) McConnell, Lucian (Millie) McConnell, William “Roger” McConnell and Frank McConnell.

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