Carolyn "Connie" Erts, 89, peacefully passed away on June 29, 2024, at Addington Place in Burlington. She was born on Jan. 16, 1935, in Burlington, Iowa to Paul and Avis Peterson. Connie graduated from Burlington High School and continued her education earning a B.S degree in education from Iowa Wesleyan University.
She married the love of her life, Keith Erts, on Aug. 21, 1955, at Grace United Methodist Church in Burlington. They built their marriage and life together which lasted 69 years and included many people in their circle of love, most importantly their two children, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Connie is survived by her husband, Keith, her daughter Liz Carr (Kevin) of Burlington, her grandchildren Matt Carr (Charli) of East Peoria, Ill., and Abby (Michael) Mendez of Shawnee, Kan. her great-grandchildren Ana Forbes and Cam Krus of East Peoria and Wyatt and Whittley Mendez of Shawnee, Kan. She was preceded in death by her parents, and son, Kerry Erts.
Connie taught kindergarten at North Hill School and 2nd grade at Prospect Hill School. She loved, and was very actively involved her whole life, at Grace United Methodist Church teaching Sunday school and serving on numerous committees over the years. She was a long-time member of PEO, Chapter P. She served as President and was the delegate to the PEO International Convention. She was especially close, and helped family as needed, especially close with her nephew and niece Brian Peterson, Brenda Large.
Visitation and the funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday July 8 at Lunning Chapel, 2620 Mt. Pleasant Street with the family receiving friends from 10-11 a.m. Monday, July 8. The funeral service for Connie will commence immediately after the visitation. A luncheon will be served at Grace United Methodist Church. Memorials have been established for Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House and Grace United Methodist Church Scholarship Fund.