Colleen Connelly

Margaret Colleen (Tobin) Connelly, 93, Bismarck, passed away at her home in the care of her family. We are happy that she will spend her 73^rd anniversary on April 28 with Dad in heaven.

Colleen was born in 1927 in Mandan, to Ed and Peg (Gasper) Tobin. When she was a small child, the family moved to Dickinson where she was raised and educated. In April 1947, she married David Connelly and they were married for 72 years before his death. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Mandan, where their oldest daughter Peggy was born. They later moved to Beach, where Dave operated a grocery store and Kathy was born. Dave’s new job took them to Baker, MT, where he began his career with Montana Dakota Utilities and Linda was born. Later on, in Glendive, MT, Chris was born. In Glendive, Colleen worked for a time as a dance teacher and later the Glendive Police Department as a meter maid. In 1983, Dave was transferred back to Bismarck and they lived there until after retirement. Following Dave’s retirement, they wintered to Mesa, AZ, and eventually lived there full time until January 2011 when they returned to Bismarck to be closer to family. After five years at Marillac Manor and Valley View Assisted Living facility, they moved into their current home and their daughter Linda became their caregiver. Dave passed away on January 5, 2019.

She is survived by her daughters, Kathy (Bob) Walsh and Linda Baker, both of Bismarck, and Chris (Dale) Eckholm, Indian Land, SC; son-in-law, Alan Knoll; 12 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Colleen was preceded in death by her husband, David; daughter, Peggy Knoll; parents, Ed and Peg Tobin; her brother, Patrick Tobin; and her son-in-law, Albert Roller.

A private family service will be held at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck. A celebration of life will be held at a later date in the summer.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to The God’s Child Project, Ministry on the Margins, or your favorite charity.