Baumann, Constance Jean "Connie" (nee Pedersen) Connie passed quietly at the age of 81 in the evening of July 23, 2023, in Plymouth, MN, mercifully ending her 11-year battle with Alzheimer's Disease. She has been a resident of Brookdale of Plymouth for the past nearly 4 years. Connie was preceded in death by parents Robert A. and Angeline S. Pedersen, of Omaha, NE and sister Kathleen. She is survived by loving husband, Roger of Plymouth; sons, Charles (Jennifer) and Christopher (Shelly); grandsons, Joshua and Jeremiah; brothers Robert, Kim; sister, Pamela; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Connie was born in Chicago, IL, February 20, 1942. Her family moved to Sioux City, IA, where Connie spent most of her growing-up years. In 1958 the family moved to Omaha, NE. Connie graduated from Omaha Westside High School in 1959 and immediately began an administrative job at the then-new Western Electric plant in Millard. In 1961 she married Charles Bates and they then resided in Hollywood, FL, where her two sons were born. In 1969 she moved back to Omaha as a single mom and for several years worked two jobs, one of which was as First National Bank of Omaha's first salesperson signing up Omaha merchants to use the then-new Bank Americard service. In 1974 she began a 17-year career with IBM in Omaha, holding several administrative positions. A brief 2nd marriage ended in 1976 and in 1978 Connie married her soul-mate Roger. She left IBM in 1991. Roger left IBM in 1992, and in 1993 they moved to the Twin Cities for Roger's new job. For the next seven years, Connie was busy doing her all-time favorite thing taking care of children, as she nannied for Roger's brother's 2 children, fulfilling her deep desire to be around kids. Though she had no formal education beyond high school, Connie was whip smart, a quick learner, and succeeded at everything she tried. She did not suffer fools and was particularly good at standing up for herself. She had a great sense of humor, she laughed easily, heartily, and often, and being very gregarious she was nearly always in the middle of social events large and small. Although she herself could not carry a tune in a 5-gallon bucket, she loved to listen to music of all kinds. She enjoyed sewing, in particular "crafty" type things. She was an avid reader and enjoyed everything from James Michener and Robert Grisham, to Bill Bryson, Diana Gabaldon and Nora Roberts. She was a terrific cook, absolutely loved kitchen gadgets, and particularly enjoyed preparing Lebanese food using, literally, old family recipes. Connie's body has been donated to the University of Minnesota Medical School. Her cremains will eventually be interred at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Omaha. A Celebration of Connie's Life will be held on Monday, August 14, 2023, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, at the American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave., Minneapolis. Memorials may be considered to the March of Dimes or the Alzheimer's Association.

Published on July 30, 2023