Linda Sue Conolly

Linda Sue (Aufenkamp) Conolly, 53 of Sioux City, IA passed into heaven March 24, 2016 after a courageous 18-month battle with cancer.

A Prayer Service will be held Monday, April 4th at 7:00 pm at the Scottish Rite Consistory 801 Douglas Street. Family welcome from 5:00-8:00. Neil Peck will be officiating the prayer service. The honorary pallbearers are Luana Evans, Jan McCann, Nancy Young, Lynn Hutchinson, Penny Nash, and Val Clements. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Tuesday, April 5th at 10:30 am at Blessed Sacrament Church, 3012 Jackson Street. Father Daniel Rupp as Celebrant. Cemetery burial will follow promptly after services at Calvary Cemetery, and a luncheon to follow at the Shrine Temple 820 Nebraska Street. Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, Memorials can be made to North Riverside Masonic Lodge, the Abu Bekr Shrine, or Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Linda’s name.

Linda was born September 17, 1962 in Omaha, NE to Charles (d. 2008) and Betty Aufenkamp 85. She is the eldest of three children with a brother, Paul, and sister, Peggy (d. 2003). She graduated from South High School in 1980. She wed her husband Kelly John Conolly on September 3, 1983 at Our Lady of Lordes Church in Omaha, NE. Linda continued her education at Bellevue University, USD, and WIT Nursing School. Linda was a honor graduate receiving a 4.0 in her degree of Psychology and Nursing. Kelly and Linda welcomed a baby girl, Brittany Leigh (Conolly) Lesline into the world on November 3, 1989. Shortly after, they moved to Sioux City, Iowa. Linda worked as a RN at Sioux City Family Health for Dr. Mitchell, and then at the Dakota Dunes Surgery Center until retiring in 2009 to care for her mother in Omaha, Ne.

In 2000 Kelly and Linda bought Linda’s dream home, a historic Victorian house on Jackson Street. She had a gift of decorating and loved antiquing for items to fill up the three-story home. She enjoyed spending time at the family cabin at Miners Bend with her friends and family. Her favorite days included floating in the water, water sports, and taking in the memories the summer days provided her. Linda was always on the go. She always had somewhere she needed or wanted to be, always having a kind word for everyone she met. Linda had a gift of making everyone feel special and like they belonged. Both Kelly and Linda were part of the Abu Bekr Shrine in Sioux City. Linda adored the fellow Shriners, and enjoyed all the events she was able to share with them.

Linda was surrounded by her loving friends up until the end of her battle. She had many visitors bring her joy in her final months. Her family and friends took time from their busy lives to provide her with care and comfort. From the hospital visits to her final days at home, Linda never once gave up. Linda held on as long as her body would physically let her, as she soon would be a grandma to her first grandchild the last Monday of March. Linda had every reason to want to stay with us. She had the strongest of wills, and continued to hold on to her faith until her final minute on this earth. Linda passed with her husband, daughter, son in law, and close friends holding her.

Linda is survived by her husband Kelly Conolly, daughter Brittany Lesline, Son in law Kyle Lesline, granddaughter Scarlett Lesline, mother Betty Aufenkamp, and brother Paul Aufenkamp. She was preceded in death by her father Charles Aufenkamp (2008) sister Peggy Wheeler (2003).

A heartfelt thanks to her caregivers at June E. Nylen Cancer Center, the staff at Mercy Medical Center, Dr. Durward at CNOS, and Hospice of Siouxland. Thank you all who cared and loved Linda. What a beautiful soul to have known. Her friendship and love will forever hold a place in the hearts of many. May she rest in everlasting peace.