Connie E. Sidell Stroman  (nee Stalcup)
Connie E. Sidell Stroman, 96, died peacefully on May 15, 2013, at Primrose Retirement Community in Grand Island, Nebraska, her family with her.
Memorial services will be at 10:30 am Friday, May 24, 2013 at Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home. The Reverend Lonnie Logan will officiate. According to her wishes Connie was cremated and burial of ashes will be at a later date.
Connie was born March 14, 1917, in Edgemont, S.D., to Ruel Homer Stalcup and Lela Mena Barton Stalcup, the youngest of seven children.
Since Connie's death, her family has been requested to state her "general occupation".  That simply is not possible.  Connie was a big band singer in the late 30's and early 40's, singing with Clyde McCoy, Isham Jones and Paul Whiteman.  On Armistice Day 1938, Connie introduced "God Bless America" to WOW Radio's listeners only hours after Kate Smith's national introduction.  Connie edited an insurance magazine, was legal secretary to former Nebraska Governor Charles Thone, worked for the Nebraska State Department of Education, was a lobbyist for the Sperry and Hutchinson Company during which time she composed and performed "Hat and History Shows" for various legislative groups, was Women's Director of KMMJ Radio presenting a chatty and charming talk show five days a week, served as Executive Director of the Grand Island United Way from 1969-77, was elected to the Silver Haired Unicameral and was secretary of the Whooping Crane Trust.
She was a Charter Board Member of the Grand Island Adult Day Care Center, served for thirty years on the G.I. Area Chamber of Commerce Government Relations Committee and was the first woman to chair the Chamber's annual meeting, convincing Ronald Reagan to come to "the best part of the U.S." to speak. Few if any believed she would convince Mr. Reagan to come to Grand Island, but Connie never believed in impossibilities. She was a member of the Nebraska Writers' Guild, winning many "Silver Buckle" awards.  She served as president of Women's Division Chamber of Commerce, Toastmistresses, Parliamentarians, and Business and Professional Women's Club, and in 1987-88 was an inaugural member of Hall County's Leadership Tomorrow program.
Connie attended thirteen grade schools, six high schools, two business colleges and one university before she was seventeen.
Connie married J. Oakland Sidell in 1940 and they had two children, Susan Brandt (Mrs. Roger) of Grand Lake, CO, and Joel Sidell (Dona) of Brighton, CO.  In 1970, she married Vincent J. Stroman.  They were married for 25 years before his death.
Connie was as comfortable with presidents, first ladies, governors, and senators as she was chasing her grandchildrens 'escaped kite across a cornfield - - in high heels.
Left to celebrate her life, marvel at her "glass-always-full" attitude and endeavor to perpetuate all that she was to so many are her children, one step-daughter, Bea Casper of Lake Havasu, AZ, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.  Connie always said that the happiest times of her life were those spent with her family …no need to make plans … just being together was all that was needed."
Heartfelt thanks to the dear people of Primrose Retirement Community - - residents and staff - - for your unwavering kindnesses over the last eight years.  You became Connie's - - and her family's - - extended family.  Love and gratitude to Lorna Razey, Connie's devoted Senior Companion and friend for over 10 years, and to Aseracare Hospice for your caring and compassion.
Connie was a member of United Congregational Church of Grand Island.
Memorials may be made to:
Adult Day Care Center, Senior Citizen Industries, 304 East 3rd, Grand Island, NE 68802


Memorial services will be at 10:30 am Friday, May 24, 2013 at Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home. The Reverend Lonnie Logan will officiate. According to her wishes Connie was cremated and burial of ashes will be at a later date.

Memorials may be made to:
Adult Day Care Center, Senior Citizen Industries, 304 East 3rd, Grand Island, NE 68802