Obituary of Connie Fern Manus

Connie Fern (Mattox) Manus, the daughter of Melvin and Fern Mattox, was born on June 21, 1947, in Pontiac, IL. She attended Chatsworth, IL high school, then later graduated from Winterset, IA.

Connie enrolled in Omaha Baptist Bible College in 1965 and soon met her husband. Stan and Connie married in 1967 at Grace Baptist Church in Winterset and were inseparable for 60 years. In the early years of their marriage, Connie helped Stan through college and worked at Clarkson Hospital and Employers Mutual. Her prayer to become a mother was fulfilled when she gave birth to Stephanie in 1968, to Shantelle in 1970 and to Skip in 1972. Connie’s tender loving care of her children was extended to many others as she ran a daycare and cared for family members. She cherished the years of sharing life with Stan’s brother Phil and his children Nate and Tori. For over 50 years Connie served the Lord and others as a pastor’s wife in several communities including Floris, IA, Horton, IA, Flint, MI, Algona, IA, and Omaha, NE. She humbly loved all those with whom she interacted during the many years of ministry alongside her husband.

Connie spent the last 5 years of retirement in Des Moines, IA, with deep connections to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was renowned for her curated comfort during visits, with mental inventory of each one’s interests and favorite snacks. A visit to Grandma Connie’s house would mean chocolate chip squares, the trampoline, Von Maur until the sun went down and cartoons and ice cream before bed. Connie saw everyone for who they were and was intentional in celebrating the best parts of them. She gave you her full attention, whether it was a heartfelt chat or comfort food. Often it was both. Connie retained details in endearing ways— who else can recall the birth height and weight of everyone they’ve ever loved?

Connie passed into eternity with her Savior on January 15, 2025 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, IA. She was preceded in death by her parents Melvin and Fern Mattox and her sister Patricia.

Forever loved and missed, Connie is survived by her husband Stanley Wilson Manus Jr; her daughters Stephanie Kowbel and Shantelle (Dave) Payne; her son Skip (Courtney) Manus; Grandchildren Micaela, Micah, Moriah, Jaxon, Shaalim, Cedahlia, Ronan, Nate and Victoria; Great grandchildren Greyson, Hayden, Brixton, Wesley, Owen, Jace and Mason; Brothers Randy (Sharon) Mattox and Steve (Jeri) Mattox; Brother-in-law, Dennis Peckham.