Connie Lahren
Connie Ellen Lahren, 61, Fargo, ND passed away on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at Sanford Health surrounded by her family. She was born on October 12, 1953 to John and Betty Lou (Pedersen) Locke in Minneapolis, MN. She grew up in Bemidji, MN graduating from Bemidji Senior High School. Following graduation, she ran away with the Carnival traveling around the mid-west, and earning the nickname “Carnival Connie.”
On September 12, 1982 she was united in marriage with Timothy Lahren in Detroit Lakes, MN. The couple lived in Moorhead briefly before setting in Fargo where they raised their six children.
Connie enjoyed working at Smokey’s Steakhouse in West Fargo where her smile and great sense of humor were recognized by all. Following the closing of Smokey’s, she began working at Red Carpet Amoco and had many customers come in just to see her. She was also employed at Holy Spirit Catholic School where she worked in the kitchen for many years.
Connie was a free spirit who loved people and had a heart of gold. She would give anyone the shirt off her back if they needed it, or if she thought it would look nice.
She is survived by her children, Richard (Kristie), West Fargo, ND; Bobbie (Jeff) Grob, Arlington, TX; Chris (Sandy), White Bear Lake, MN; Joshua, West Fargo, ND; Sedonia, Fargo, ND; and Savannah (Chad) Lewis, Fargo, ND; sister, Linda (Art) Holt, International Falls, MN; nine grandchildren; and many other beloved relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; and infant son, Adam.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Hospice of the Red River Valley.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
All our thoughts and prayers to you all
I am so very saddened to hear this. I worked with Connie all those years at Smokey’s Steakhouse. I simply loved her!!! She was so kind, and so much fun,and I know she loved you all with all her heart! My heart is hurting for all of you. You are in my thoughts and prayers! Kathy Puhr, Linton ND.
Such a sad ending to such a happy, loving life. Connie will forever be in my heart for all of the fun spontaneous things I was able to enjoy in my youth. My mom was always too nervous to let me have fun. Thank God for Connie. She continued to be that way throughout her life.. enjoying life for what it offered in the moment. We all need a bit of that. My love and prayers go out to my loving cousins even though we haven’t seen each other in years and live so far from one another. Rich, Chris, Bobbie, Josh, Sadonia, and Savannah, you are always in my heart. I love you.
Connie was the best friend a girl could have. She always a way of lifting you up when you were down!! She will greatly be missed. Until we meet again my cup runneth over<3
Connie was an awesome lady. She had a quick smile and made you feel like you were a friend from the moment you met her. She will be missed by so many. Prayers to the family.
so sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers for your whole family.
I always enjoyed working with Connie and talking with her. She will be greatly missed.
to the Lahren family, although we have not been in touch for the past few years your mother was a very important part of our life. She was a great lady and mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you family during this difficult time.
Wayne & Kathy Mercil
Rest well my dear friend, you have earned it and all the jewels in your crown. You are the one they wrote the eulogy for that states, “you did not go quietly into the night, but slid in sideways yelling LIFE, WHAT A RIDE!!
I will miss your sense of adventure and your beautiful smile. You could find the best in anyone-even if it was very well hidden,Save room for me on the dock, and I”ll see you soon…LOVE YOU
I’m so sorry for this sadness in your life, Rich. Having a loving mom is a great blessing in our lives.
My thoughts are with you and your beloved family,Connie. I wish I had the opportunity to know you better than I was able to do. The stories that are known about your life will live in all our hearts forever. I have some fine storytellers around me, who loved you deeply. Rest in peace <3 Love from your cousin Elisabeth Sofie, Trondheim, Norway
Savannah and family, I’m so sorry to hear this. She sounds like an amazing mom. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I was a Police Officer on the north side of Fargo for many years and one of my regular stops was at the Red Carpet. Connie was always there with a smile to greet me and so sweet and kind to me. She helped to put a smile on my face during almost everyone of my shifts and I appreciated that. Wishing you peace at this difficult time.
Connie you will definitely be missed. I am sorry I did not know you were ill or in Fargo. Peace be with you and your family.
Jewel
I am so sorry to hear of Connie’s passing. She truly was a beautiful person inside and out. Connie and I had a beading circle and she taught me many different ways to create beadwork. She was extremely talented and generous with her time. Connie will always be remembered as a kind, loving, and wonderful person. Her life was well-lived, well-loved, and blessed. We are all fortunate to have known her.
Unfortunately, I will be out-of-town and unable to attend the memorial. But, please know my thoughts and prayers are with you all. God Bless. Chickie
I was very saddened hearing of Connie’s passing. She was a very special person and will be greatly missed.
So sorry for your loss. During this difficult time may you and your family find comfort knowing that God is there for you in your time of need (2 Cor. 1:3,4)
So sad to hear about Connie. We met at Moorhead State and became fast friends. She was an amazing person! Her children are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sad to hear of the passing of Smokey’s Gazebo gal! I worked with Connie for a long time and always appreciated her candor. Peace to you all.
Connie and I worked together at Smokey’s in the late 80’s when we became friends. Even though we lost track of each other for about the past 4 years, she crossed my mind from time to time. We had been through a lot together including the death of her husband, which really affected her in so many ways. She always had a kind heart and soul which stood out when you met Connie. She had a “mothering” personality and would do anything for anybody. I will truly miss Connie. Prayers go out to her many family members and her beloved friends.
Connie was a dear friend. I so enjoyed working with her and going out for a coke or lunch every once in a while. I had the pleasure of watching her children grow and hear stories of how she loved you all. Connie kept me young! I remember the time I was getting ice in the kitchen to celebrate her birthday with a party in the lounge (many years ago at Holy Spirit School) and when I reached to get the ice, my back went out on me. I thought of Connie for days, as I could hardly walk. I remember when she would go to the library to find books for you kids to help you with your homework. She meant well with all her intentions. She had a strong faith that seemed to be tested often, but she always looked for a better tomorrow. We had fun back in the days with Kathy Decrans, back before we lost Kathy to cancer in 2000. She will be remembered with a smile. My prayers are with those who miss her dearly! May God grant you peace until we see her again!
I will miss her a a lot , her laugh and fun . <3 I remember her hospitality whenever I came to visit her, I have knew her since I was 9 but I always knew she was there,, her grandma Ingrid and mine Grandma Sofie was great friends and I was so happy when my grandma gave me my first letter from Connie.. Since then she was in Norway several times and she also met her uncle Georg her grandma`s youngest bother,I visited her whenever I could.. I loved her a lot ( I think more ) than the rest of her relatives in Norway. <3
Eva
Connie was taken too soon and will be missed by many. We will miss her smile at Big Top Bingo. My prays are going out to her family.
I am very sorry for your loss. Although I did not know your loved one personally, I hope knowing that they are in our loving heavenly Father’s memory will bring your family comfort during this difficult time. Very soon now we can look forward to God’s promise at a Revelation 21:4: “… Death will be no more, neither will mourning, nor outcry, nor pain be anymore, the former thing have passed away.”
I am so sorry for the loss of your Mom. I always enjoyed visiting with Connie. She will be sooo missed. I still have the purple beaded key chain she made for me and it’s always with me. Love you Connie Peggy
I got to know Connie when she worked at the Red Carpet Amoco. Connie and and her co-worker Elaine, became good friends of mine. Connie and I stayed in touch through our Christmas Cards. She had such a great out-look on life. She will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.
Sending our condolences, your in our thoughts and prayers. Sorry but we are unable to attend the memorial service. Dale has to work. We will get in touch when we get over to Fargo.
Such a pleasant and friendly lady — her big smile will be missed!
Thinking of you both Rich & Kristie for the loss of your Mother Connie. So sorry to hear about her passing. Sending our thoughts and prayers….
Such a friendly and bubbly gal! Deepest sympathies to her family.
So many years of fun which have led to so many great memories. She was a great woman who loved everyone. She will be sadly missed. I loved her so much.
Vernice Ostman
You are going to be missed at Big Top Bingo. Your great personality and smile was always a welcome sight when we came thru the door.
Linda, Bobbi,Josh and all Connie’s family, I am sorry for Connie’s passing. We were neighbors growing up on Three Island Lake in Bemidji. So many good times and memories with the Locke family. I was surprised when I saw it in the newspaper. I had lost touch with her the past years My sister Deb had been in contact with her several years ago. I have been wondering how she is. My Mom, JoAnn Smith passed away April 10th. So now Connie has joined her and Deb and I know they’re all happy and healthy. God bless you all!
Connie has been my friend since she was pregnant with Bobbie. We went through a lot of life’s trials together. She was the most selfless person I know. She never envied anyone nor said an unkind work about others. The two things she loved the most in this life were her family and traveling. Her wish for her children was that they be happy and be nice people. She always loved traveling with the carnival and going to different places. So, don’t think of her as gone away.her journey has just begun. Just think of her as resting from the sorrows and tears in a place of warmth and comfort. And think of her as living in the hearts of those she touched,as nothing loved is ever lost. She was loved so much.
‘
So sorry to hear of your loss. She was a great person who knew how to make you feel so good about themselves. I was glad to know her. God bless and help you during this sad time
Connie was such a caring, loving person. I can’t remember her ever being crabby! “She made everyone happy when skies were gray.” I got to know Connie when she starting hanging out in our “across the tracks” neighborhood on Lake Irving. We had a large group of friends and we spent many hours together playing cards, swimming, boating, etc. We all were like a family. It was the BEST!
I need to share a funny thing or two about Connie …. I have lots of stories!
Connie didn’t want to do something in (I think) P.E., so the next day she showed-up to school with a cast on her arm!!!! She learned how to put a cast on her arm all by herself. She did a great job and we all signed it! Then her arm started to itch! Getting the cast off her arm was another funny story!!! I actually don’t remember how she finally got it off. It was like “pee your pants” funny!
The Seitz family was Connie’s second family. She and Becky Seitz became the best of friends. Connie dated Becky’s brother, Jody, in high school. Then one day, Connie tattooed Jody’s name in her arm!!! Is that true love or what! Ha! When they broke-up, I don’t know how she got his name off her arm either! Then I remember not seeing Connie or Becky around for awhile, and later found out they left Bemidji with the carnival! That was her next phase of adventure!
We love you Connie and you’ll always have a place in every Bemidji “Across the Tracks” friend’s heart.
Heidi (Smart) Gall
So sorry to hear about connies passing she was such a great person. I remember her kind personality as well as her smile.she will be missed !!!!. RIP connie.