Denis Joseph Connelly

MOVILLE, Iowa -- Denis J. Connelly, 90, of Moville died Monday, April 19, 2010, at an assisted living facility in Dakota Dunes, S.D.
Services will be 10 a.m Friday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Moville, with the Rev. Mark Stoll officiating. Burial will be in Arlington Township Cemetery in Moville. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. today, with a vigil service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Christy-Smith McCulloch Chapel in Moville.
Denis was born April 3, 1920, in Lindsay, Neb., the son of Sam and Ann (Weidner) Connelly Jr. He was raised in Lindsay, graduating from Lindsay Holy Family High School in 1938.
He was united in marriage to Virginia M. Schaecher on July 13, 1941, in Lindsay. He lived in Omaha a few years, then was sent to the southeast United States while in training with the U.S. Army. He served in the Army during World War II in the European Theater from D-Day until V-Day, taking part in five major campaigns, including the invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded two Purple Hearts and one Bronze Star for his military service. Upon returning from military duty, the couple lived in Bloomfield, Neb., and Saunders County, Neb., before moving to Moville in 1950.
He farmed outside Moville and also was a businessman around town, operating Connelly's Corner Drive Inn and was an insurance adjuster for Farmer's Mutual Insurance. He was a volunteer with the Moville Fire Department for many years, serving as chief for nine years. He drove the Woodbury County Bookmobile for several years.
He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Moville, Knights of Columbus and Wink-Sparks American Legion Post. He was quite a storyteller and well known around the area for the tales he spun. He loved his family and spending time with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia; two sons, D. Michael (Linda) Connelly of Wilmington, N.C., and their son Camden, and Bart (Pam) Connelly of Bronson, Iowa, and their children, Ryan, Nathan, Rachel and Hannah; two daughters, Patricia (Larry) Thomas of Ashland, Neb., and their children, Janie (Matt) Helt, Ali (Chris) Tierney and Jesse Thomas, and Cynthia (Gary) Bogenrief of Dakota Dunes and their children, Chris (Joy) Bogenrief, Tracy (Ryan) Meis and Aaron (Ali) Bogenrief; eight great-grandchildren, Emma and Liam Helt, Blake, Ben and Adi Bogenrief, and Elsy, Levi and Kenley Meis; and a sister-in-law, Nita Rae Connelly of Liberty, Mo.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, James; two sisters, Yvonne Stevens and Mary Donna Kvidera; and a grandson, Seth Thomas.