Connie Lou Wahlen

Connie Lou Wahlen was born on April 10th 1953 in Kansas City, MO to Benjamin and Martha Jane Bryan. She graduated from Ruskin High School in 1971 where she enjoyed participating in the Pep Club. She took great pride in any work she took on, applying her all to volunteer work, and admirable diligence to any job she had to provide for her family. Her passion for hard work found it's final place at the VFW Auxiliary, taking care of veterans and their families as was important to her, fulfilling her love of country by honoring their sacrifices.

Her insatiable intelligence was manifested in the innumerable hours she spend reading, devouring more books than her sons cared to carry when they helped her move.

She was an avid Chiefs fan who never wavered even when there was no hope of a win. She enjoyed her season tickets and loved spending Sunday's at the games with her brother, sister-in-law, son-in-law, and her granddaughters.

Her laugh permeated the house quickly compelling anyone to immediate joy and spontaneous echoed laughter.

Every holiday she spent countless hours making sure every detail was perfect. Often forgoing sleep to make sure her children, and then grandchildren, had an amazing experience each time. She enjoyed cooking for her family who had never been able to find a hamburger at a restaurant that came close to rivaling hers. Her granddaughters favorite meal was "Grandma's spaghetti" which no one could quite make like her.

She was selfless when it came to her family. She never let her children, grandchildren, or parents do without what they needed or anything she could provide even with considerable sacrifice to herself. She was a devoted Grandmother who used any of her spare time to take care of her granddaughters. Including countless trips to dance recitals, competitions, choir performances, and plays. Her children were her everything. Her whole life was devoted to making theirs the very best it could be. She never missed an event. She was always there. She was always the MOM/Grandma that cheered the loudest, and never missed an opportunity to tell them how proud of them she was. While at the same time supporting and cheering for everyone else's children, and making them feel just as special. She loved her children unconditionally, and made sure they knew so in good times and bad.

There was not a mean spirited bone in her body. She would go out of her way to help others in anyway she could. She loved and lived life to it's fullest even during her battle with cancer. She made friends everywhere she went, and everywhere she went people fell in love with her and her sense of humor.

She was at her happiest in younger days with one child cradled in front of her, one in the crook of her knees, and one settled on top of her as she lay on her side on the couch reading to them. Here everyone was content, she reminisced often and fondly of what these occasions meant to her.

Connie is survived by her three children Emily Stocklaufer and husband Kevin, Odessa Mo; Eric Wahlen, Independence MO; Austin Wahlen, Independence MO. Two grandchildren, who were the light of her life, Alexis and Kalie. Her brother Kenneth Bryan and wife Martha Bryan, Kansas City MO. Her mother Martha Jane Bryan, Kansas City MO. And many nieces and nephews all of whom she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her father Benjamin Bryan.

The family will receive friends from1:00 pm to 2:00 pm Friday, April 13th with a celebration of life service immediately following at Floral Hills 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd. KCMO. Connie's children and grand daughters education was very important to her. Any memorial contribution will be put into a college fund for her granddaughters. Any questions can be directed to Connie's daughter Emily Stocklaufer 816-838-1783.