Vincent P. Conners Obituary
Vincent "Pete" dePaul Conners, was born to Tom and Ann Conners on Dec 23, 1920 in Imogene, Iowa and the youngest of their seven children. He passed away in Dallas, Texas on January 16, 2015 surrounded by his daughter and her family. He was 94 years old. He graduated from St. Patrick's high school where he played baseball and tried out for a St Louis Brown's farm team in Kansas City before the breakout of the war when he was sworn in to the 34th Infantry Division at Shenandoah and began his infantry military career.
During WWII he would fight in Africa, Sicily and Italy rising rapidly in rank from private to First Sergeant and then receiving his battle field commission of Second Lieutenant and promotion to First Lieutenant during fighting near Brenner Pass in northern Italy. "Pete" and a few of his men were the only men of his company that were not killed or captured when Rommel's forces overran the American positions in North Africa.
In addition to his many campaign ribbons where he and his unit spearheaded the invasions in Africa, Sicily and Italy, "Pete" was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor while being wounded severely three times and received three of his eventual four Purple Heart awards and his first Combat Infantry Badge before the war ended in 1945.
Upon returning home, he married Norma Jean Darst in Omaha where his three children were born prior to the outbreak of the Korean war when "Pete" again returned to active duty and after assignments to Ft Carson, Colorado and Ft Benning, Georgia was assigned to the 7th Infantry Division were he received his second Combat Infantry Badge and fourth Purple Heart and another Bronze Star before being medivaced to Japan.
After his release from the hospital in 1952 he joined his family and was assigned to the Infantry center at Ft Riley, Kansas where he began his lifelong passion of golfing with his wife and friends. Pete was given the command of the Heavy Weapons Company in the 87th Infantry when the 10th Infantry Division was shipped to Germany in 1955 where the unit and his family were stationed at Aschaffenberg and then command of the Headquarters Company of the NCO Academy in Munich when he was promoted to Major before returning to the United States in 1958 where he completed the Infantry Officer Advanced Course and served briefly at the Reserve Center in St Louis.
Pete was selected as a senior military advisor in the Joint US Military Advisor Group (Thailand) and he and his family arrived in Bangkok in 1961 where Pete would achieve VIP status as the advisor to the Thai's First Infantry Division. Pete ended his 23 years of active duty returning with his family aboard an American Presidential Lines ship which sailed to San Francisco via Hong Kong and the major Pacific tropical islands.
He was immediately hired by the University of Nevada where he established the Emergency Operations Centers for Nevada before being hired by the federal government to assist in creating the emergency centers for California and subsequently the training for those involved in emergency response. In 1978, Pete again retired and returned to Iowa with his wife Jean to assist her aging parents Rex and Tiny Darst in Sidney where Pete became active in Veteran of Foreign War activities and was appointed as the Judge Magistrate for Fremont County in 1979 where he continued to serve until his retirement in 1990.
Pete and Jean lived in Reno, Nevada with his oldest son and his family for ten years before joining his daughter Marie in Dallas, Texas where he and Jean remained until her death in 2005. He is preceded in death by his wife, father, mother and six brothers and sisters. He is survived by his children Jerry, Marie and Tom, seven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren where he will remain the lasting inspiration to live life well and long.
Memorials may be directed to St. Patrick's Catholic Church or Shenandoah American Legion Post 88. Burial with military rites will be held at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Imogene, IA.
An appreciation for the services of Father Tom Kunnel, his Altar Servers, the Choir and Organist, and the Parishioners of St Patrick's Catholic Church in Imogene, Iowa I attended many Masses as child in St Patrick's and remember the walks up the hill with Grandma and Grandpa Conners when we returned to visit them in Imogene.
Entering this very special, and now historically recognized, church to sit with the Conners family in their pew. All of the childhood stories that Dad told of the Dominican Nuns and Father Doyle and his time serving Mass on the Altar of this church remain vividly remembered, in part, due to the magnificence of this Church and the quality of education that Dad received from the religious leaders that surrounded him.
During Dad's and later the family's many years of travel throughout the United States, Europe and SE Asia, Dad made every effort to maintain a close relationship with the Catholic Priests and Nuns where we lived. In Europe, my brother Tom and I served Mass as Altar Boys often assisting Priests that did not speak English and Dad exerted his special effort to know those Priests well and I watched him become more 'worldly' as he did so.
Dad was in his forties when the family moved to Bangkok, Thailand and immediately established our membership in the beautiful Church of Santacruz where we attended Mass each Sunday. Priests of many nations, including Thais, served that Parish. He became friends with them all, as he had done throughout his life. In the basement of St Patrick's in Imogene, photographs and short biographies are posted on the wall of the original Priests that established the Parish and those that followed.
Dad would have wanted to know them all and would have enjoyed time spent with Father Tom Kunnel, trading stories of their religious lives and experiences. It is fitting that such a 'worldly' Priest as Father Tom was to serve Mass and to deliver the Church's final prayers for my Dad, Vincent "Pete" Conners. I am certain that Father Doyle was looking on that farewell to one of his favorite sons and could appreciate a truly Catholic experience that Dad and his family received during those final hours before he joined Mom and family in the Mount Calvary Cemetery.
The choir and organist and their selections will forever ring in the ears of many of us that were in the Church that cold and snowy afternoon. Those Parishioners that assisted in readying the Church...I have met many of you over the years and only wish that we could have stayed longer to express our appreciation for everything that you do and hope that the flowers left for the Altar provide a few more days of bloom on the Altar of the Altar of the God of Dad's Youth and so many more.
Feb 3, 2015 Jerry Conners An appreciation for the Eulogy produced by Michelle and Jeff Moyer: A special appreciation for the Eulogy co-written by Michelle (granddaughter) and husband Jeff Moyer and so effectively presented to those in attendance of the funeral Mass by Jeff. They gave tribute to my father's life and most significantly honored the many relationships that he had with so many of those present and the fun filled life that he and my mother enjoyed after WWII.
Michelle had taken on the responsibility for having my father and mother remembered long ago and the Eulogy that they gave to my mother at St. Patricks' was held in high esteem by my father. There was never any consideration for anyone other than Michelle and Jeff producing the Eulogy and the expectations that we had was fulfilled and exceeded.
Feb 2, 2015 Jerry Conners Appreciation to the Imogene and Shenandoah community: When I initially reached out to Gregg Connell once again, I did so knowing that he would assist the family is gathering the support for my father Vincent "Pete" Conners. He assisted in all the earliest coordinations and his initiative was instrumental in notifying those that knew and respected my father of my Dad's death and the upcoming funeral activities to be held in Imogene.
Gregg and Becky Hughes insured that my father was to be welcomed home with open and caring arms by the people of the community. The community responded promptly to every request made by the family and provided countless suggestions that comforted all involved to include St Patrick's, the entire community, the military participants and of course what would have been most enjoyed by my father, the celebrations at the Emerald Isle.
The interaction with Vaughn and Matt Livingston was the glue that held most of what needed to take place did so and in a timely and beautiful manner and comforted by a needed sense of security. Feb 2, 2015 Jerry Conners Appreciation to the Leahy family: "Father" Michael Leahy's participation provided the essential Irish voice to the Rosary and Funeral Mass and established the connection between St Patrick's and my father Vincent "Pete" Conners.
Mike remains the 'caretaker' of the fundamental family values and community spirit that is rooted in Imogene, Iowa and my father's burial would not have been what he envisioned as a child and a vision that he maintained throughout his life without Mike's catholic leadership and his divine belief in Irish whiskey. Feb 2, 2015 Jerry Conners February 2, 2015 Ladies and Gentlemen of the 168th Infantry and 34th Infantry: Please accept this effort to express my appreciation for your efforts and initiative proceeding, during and after the funeral of my father Major Vincent "Pete" Conners. "Introibo ad altare Dei Ad eum qui laetificat juventutem meam" were the opening statements of the Latin Mass used by my father as a young man serving as an altar boy in St Patrick's church in Imogene.
It is translated to mean "I will go to the altar of God, to God, the joy of my youth." He spoke those Latin words throughout his life and which had multiple sentiments that included the importance of returning to the purity of heart of the young, mentally returning to that altar regardless where he was geographically and that finally, he would return to that altar one last time upon his death.
He had to abandon that later belief during those years he fought alongside his friends in the 168th Infantry knowing that he would not return to altar of the God of his youth but to be buried where he fell in Europe. He accepted that condition but did so believing that those far away gravesites were a second "altar of the God of his youth".
After WWII and in Korea he was again allowed to resume the expectation of his final return to the St Patrick's altar of the God of his youth but forever attended by those of the 168th Infantry. On January 30, 2105 my father entered the altar of the God of his youth for the final time and did so accompanied by the men of the 168th Infantry where they placed the Battalion colors above his casket where in lay dressed in his dress blue uniform wearing his 168th Infantry crossed rifles, crests and 34th Infantry "Red Bull" combat patch.
Following the Rosary that evening he lay in rest in the church where his unit and family prepared for his funeral Mass and burial that was to take place the following day in January 30, 2015. As snow began to fall on Imogene, my thoughts shifted to those cold and wet days and nights when he fought where so many of his men fell in the mud alongside him to breathe their last and now he would be buried with the wind, rain and snow falling about him and the 168th Infantry one last time with his family there to observe the solemn dignity of the hardened infantry standing tall around him, knowing as they only can know, the worst weather is welcomed when burying their own.
As the 168th Infantry men and other military of the current and more recent time filed into the church to sit beside him, I turned to see those men, many of them now holding the same position of responsibility that my father had held so long ago. Much was to be said of those men during the funeral Mass. As the American flag was again draped upon my father's casket, the 168th Infantry and other military persons gathering for my father's service, assembled behind the Priest and ahead of Major Conners' casket, leading the family from the church and then waited in formation on either side of church entrance saluting him once again before that final salute to be rendered by the 168th Infantry and 34th Infantry at his gravesite at Mount Calvary Cemetery.
Again with solemn dignity, the Honor Guard carried my father to the grave where the family overcome by grief entrusted everything to them and their presence comforting as Father spoke those final prayers. The notes of the bugle drifted above the wind and snow, the last weapons were fired for him yet so much like those sounds that accompany the death of men in battle that all in attendance recognized as the flag was carefully folded and then presented with the sentiments of a grateful nation and the emotions that overcome all that hold my father's life and that of infantry in the highest esteem.
Now covered in snow my father's grave is adorned with many things and one is the hand-made 34th Infantry carving made by one of the men of the unit. The altar of the God of his youth. Dad is now forever home surrounded by those that claimed him, his family, his Iowa community, his St Patrick's church and his 168th Infantry.
He is yours forever as you are his. You are together and that is the greatest appreciation that I can state and I know that IS the feeling that was forged with the 168th when he donned that old doughboy style uniform and Springfield rifle in Shenandoah. Carry on 168th Infantry, you have been, are now and forever will be needed by all.
Feb 2, 2015 Jerry Conners The Vince Conner's family and the Kersten family have known each other for a long time. My mom Jackie worked for Vince in the Fremont County Courthouse, his son Tom was in the same grade, his grandchildren are the same age as my brother and myself, and he was my confirmation sponsor into the Catholic Church.
Many wonderful memories of picnics, rodeo, family reunions, and even a certain California Granddaughter and I sneaking out of the house around Midnight for a walk around the square exist. Vince and Jean even took me to my first fancy restaurant the Officer's Club at Offutt when their Granddaughter Michelle was in town visiting.
One memory I will not forget is at Christmas my Mom insisted in me going to see Santa Claus with my younger brother. I was too old I told her but she insisted. I was one unhappy pre teen girl because she also insisted I sit on his lap. We get there, wait in line, and I follow my very excited little brother to Santa's lap, Ryan sits down first then Santa pulls me to his other knee.
It was when I sat down and looked into his face I knew who Santa was and understood why my Mom insisted on me joining my brother. The madness went away and I was able to smile for the picture. He made a great Santa doing just another generous act he was so used to doing for others. Vince you will be missed but always keep in the heart.
With all my love, Jodi Kersten Jan 29, 2015 Jodi Kersten Major Conners: Our nation is forever in your debt for your outstanding service and sacrifice defending freedom on frontiers around the world. "Thank you" is not enough. You spent most of your life being apart of something bigger than yourself and you have your full measure to keep America free.
In doing so, you have left us a tremendous legacy to follow as we take up the cause to defend freedom as Red Bull Soldiers. We will strive to be worthy of your legacy. God speed as you move on to the next life. On Guard, Lieutenant Colonel Steve Boesen United States Army, Infantry Jan 29, 2015 Lieutenant Colonel Steve Boesen Vincent "Pete" dePaul Conners was born to Tom and Ann Conners on Dec 23, 1921 in Imogene, Iowa and the youngest of their seven children.
He graduated from St.Patrick's high school where he played baseball and tried out for a St Louis Brown's farm team in Kansas City before the breakout of the war when he was sworn in to the 34th Infantry Division at Shenandoah and began his infantry military career. During WWII he would fight in Africa, Sicily and Italy rising rapidly in rank from private to First Sergeant and then receiving his battle field commission of Second Lieutenant and promotion to First Lieutenant during fighting near Brenner Pass in northern Italy. "Pete" and a few of his men were the only men of his company that were not killed or captured when Rommel's forces overran the American positions in North Africa.
In addition to his many campaign ribbons where he and his unit spearheaded the invasions in Africa, Sicily and Italy, "Pete" was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor while being wounded severely three times and received three of his eventual four Purple Heart awards and his first Combat Infantry Badge before the war ended in 1945.
Upon returning home, he married Norma Jean Darst where his three children were born prior to the outbreak of the Korean war when "Pete" again returned to active duty and after assignments to Ft Carson, Colorado and Ft Benning, Georgia was assigned to the 7th Infantry Division were he received his second Combat Infantry Badge and fourth Purple Heart and another Bronze Star before being medivaced to Japan.
After his release from the hospital in 1952 he joined his family and was assigned to the Infantry center at Ft Riley, Kansas where he began his lifelong passion of golfing with his wife and friends. Pete was given the command of the Heavy Weapons Company in the 87th Infantry when the 10th Infantry Division was shipped to Germany in 1955 where the unit was stationed at Aschaffenburg and then command of the Headquarters Company of the NCO Academy in Munich when he was promoted to Major before returning to the United States in 1958 where he completed the Infantry Officer Advanced Course and served briefly at the Reserve Center in St Louis.
Pete was selected as a senior military advisor in the Joint US Military Advisor Group (Thailand) and he and his family arrived in Bangkok in 1961 where Pete would achieve VIP status as the advisor to the Thai's First Infantry Division. Pete ended his 23 years of active duty returning with his family aboard an American Presidential Lines ship which sailed to San Francisco via Hong Kong and the major Pacific tropical islands.
He was immediately hired by the University of Nevada where he established the Emergency Operations Centers for Nevada before being hired by the federal government to assist in creating the emergency centers for California and subsequently the training for those involved in emergency response. In 1978, Pete again retired and returned to Iowa with his wife Jean to assist her aging parents Rex and Tiny Darst in Sidney where Pete became active in Veteran of Foreign War activities and was appointed as the Judge Magistrate for Fremont County in 1979 where he continue to serve until his retirement in 1990.
Pete and Jean lived in Reno, Nevada with his oldest son and his family for ten years before joining his daughter Marie in Dallas, Texas where he and Jean remained until her death in 2005. Vincent "Pete" dePaul Conners, age 94, died in Dallas, Texas on January 16, 2015 surrounded by his daughter and her family. He is preceded in death by his wife, father, mother and six brothers and sisters.
He is survived by his children Jerry, Marie and Tom and seven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren where he will remain the lasting inspiration to live life well and long. He will return to the altar of his youth at St Patrick's in Imogene Iowa where his funeral will be held on January 31, 2015. Written by Jerry L Conners (son) the morning after Dad died
