Connie Lee Knudsen, 81, of Russell, Kansas, died on Tuesday, August 05, 2014, at the Russell Regional Hospital.

Connie was born on February 19, 1933, in Lincoln, Kansas the daughter of Lee and Esther (Cromwell) Smith.  She grew up in Vesper, Kansas and graduated from Vesper High School in the class of 1950.  After high school she attended Brown-Mackie Business College in Salina, Kansas.  She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Eugene Knudsen on May 24, 1953, at the Vesper Presbyterian Church.  From this union Connie and Gene were blessed with a son, William.  She worked as a business assistant for ASC office and was a bookkeeper for Reinhart Services.  She was a longtime member of the First Congregational Church and was treasurer of the church for several years.  She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).  She enjoyed reading, cooking, walking, gardening and her cats.  Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandson and great grandchildren.

Surviving family include her husband Eugene of the home, brother Harold Smith and wife Marge of San Diego, California; 1 grandson David Knudsen and wife Josette and 3 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son William Knudsen, brother Charles Smith and grandson Mitchell.

Services are for 10 A.M. on Monday, August 11, 2014, at the First Congregational Church in Russell with Pastor Ron Wedel officiating.  Burial will follow at the Free Mission Cemetery in Denmark, Kansas.  No viewing or visitation at the mortuary.  Family will greet guests at the church after the funeral.  The family has requested that memorials be given to the First Congregational Church and sent in care of the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.