Clarence J. Connelly

Clarence J Connelly, 86, passed away peacefully on December 30, 2016.  He was born October 1, 1930 in the family home near Lindsay, Nebraska to James and Catherine (Widhalm) Connelly.  He grew up on that family farm south of Lindsay and stayed there until being drafted into the Army in December of 1951.

After finishing basic military training, he trained as a Radio Operator and a Paratrooper.  He described jumping out of an airplane as one of the biggest thrills of his life.  He volunteered for every jump he could.

Clarence was honorably discharged in 1953 and returned home to Nebraska to help on the family farm.  After a year he moved to Valier, Montana to be closer to his Uncles.  He rented an apartment with some friends and eventually his brother Milton joined him.  After getting his own home and land he started his farm and ranch and married the love of his life, Lillian Dunbar, on January 25, 1964.  They lived together happily on the ranch while raising 8 children until her death in 2005. Clarence was able to remain on the ranch until an illness in May of 2016.  His last few months were spent at the Grandview in Great Falls.  He enjoyed many activities during his time there.   Some of his favorites were the rides they took around the outskirts of Great Falls and the music concerts.

He was a proud member of his community and loved raising pure bred Black Angus cattle.  He was an active member in the American Legion, a founding member of the Valier Stockman’s Association, a member of the Northern Montana Angus Association, Marias Seedstock Association, Montana Angus Association, American Angus Association, Montana Stockgrowers Association and Montana Graingrowers Association.  One of the highlights of his year was annually attending the Montana Angus Tour where he met many friends worldwide.

Clarence was an avid hunter and enjoyed the many trips into the Bob Marshall Wilderness with friends and family.  He taught his sons to hunt and they soon joined in on the trips.

Clarence was a lifelong member of St Francis Catholic Church in Valier and his deep faith could be seen in how he lived his life.  He loved being surrounded by his many children and grandchildren.  Family was very important to him.

Clarence is survived by 8 children and 20 grandchildren.  Survivors include sons, Donald (Wendy) Connelly of Valier, Dennis Connelly of Whitehall, Roger (Melissa)  Connelly of Ellensburg, Wash., Steven (Becky) Connelly of Boise, Idaho, Douglas (Tamaki) Connelly of Honolulu, HI, and Leon (Brenda) Connelly of Kalispell; daughters, Rose (Mark) Kommers of Great Falls and Karen Hubbard of Niceville, FL; Grandchildren Mikayla, Matthew, Skylar, Chantz, Tyler, Austin, Henry, Nolan, TBD, Jacob, Emma, Calvin, Alanna, Liam, Katherine, Joey, Brody, Dillon, Bryce, Aiden, and Gavin.  Siblings, James Connelly of Newman Grove, NE, Ramona(Gene) Welte of Davenport, IA, Laverna (Vic) Weis of Dallas, TX, Milton (Joann) Connelly of Missoula, and Mary Connelly  of Los Angeles, CA; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Lillian and Son-in-law Joey Hubbard.

There will be a vigil Wednesday, January 4th at 7 pm and services will be held Thursday, January 5th at 1 pm at St Francis Catholic Church, Valier, MT.  The family asks that any memorials be sent to the Valier Area Development Corporation (VADC) or St Francis Church.