Connie Lynn Parenteau, 72, of Brooks, MN died peacefully on Friday, December 17, 2010 surrounded by her loving family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Brooks, MN with Father Chuck Huck presiding. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Brooks, MN.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Monday, December 20, 2010 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Brooks, MN. Visitation will also be held from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM on Tuesday at the church.

Connie Lynn Parenteau was born on August 14, 1938 in Crookston, MN the daughter of Edward and Frances (Rogers) Kiewel. She was baptized and confirmed at the Cathedral Of The Immaculate Conception in Crookston. Connie attended school in Crookston and graduated from Crookston Cathedral High School in 1956; she then attended Stephens College in Columbia, MO and graduated in 1958 with an Associate of Arts Degree.

On August 23, 1958, Connie was united in marriage to Marc Parenteau at the Cathedral Of The Immaculate Conception in Crookston. The couple moved to Milwaukee, WI where Connie was employed at the AC Spark Plug Electronics Division of General Motors as a secretary/receptionist. In 1961, they returned to Brooks, where Connie and Marc raised their family and have continued to reside. Connie worked for Mark II Insurance Agency in Red Lake Falls, then for the Minnesota Wheat Council as a receptionist and Administrative Assistant. Connie was a joint owner with Marc in their OOf-da Taco business until 1995 when she retired.

Connie was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Brooks, MN where she served on the council; she was also a Diocesan Council member. Connie served as the Red Lake County Chairman of the American Cancer Society, was the first female member of the Brooks City Council, and volunteered with the Hospice organization. She enjoyed playing golf, traveling, bowling, fishing, dancing, music and theatre, was an avid swimmer and lifeguard and in her younger years, enjoyed ice skating.

Survivors include her husband Marc D. Parenteau of Brooks, MN; children, Marc E. (Connie) Parenteau of Thornton, CO, Greg (Donna) Parenteau of Erskine, MN, Jill (Tim) Wisdorf of Cheyenne, WY, Pamela (Michael) Daly of Shadow Hills, CA, and Gary (Danielle) Parenteau of Hawley, MN; 21 grandchildren, Nathan (Karina), Rachel, Sarah (Izell), Dan (Lisa), Corey, Austin, Hunter, Joseph, Jordan, Jenna, Taylor, Benjamin, Landon, Hank (Maria), Hetti, Reed, Seth, Jared, Ryan, Marc and Andraya; 3 great-grandchildren, Ethan, Elias and Ryan; brothers and sister, Ben (Bev) Kiewel of Brainerd, MN, Dianne Epema of Lake Havasu City, AZ, and John (Mae) Kiewel of Nisswa, MN; sister-in-law, Mary Kiewel of Las Vegas, NV; and many nieces and nephews.

Connie is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Michael and Tony Kiewel; sister-in-law, Marge Kiewel; and brother-in-law, Ken Epema.

Casketbearers: Dave Bang, Dick Huebler, Bob Hutchison, Perry Morinville, Lonnie Paradis, Clair Thompson, Rob Smith, Chuck Stridde, Lamont Deaver, Jack Brooks, Blackie Landreville

Honorary Casketbearers: All of Connies Grandchildren & Great-grandchildren