Viola “Vi” Mae Bigelow McConnell, 102, Gardner, Kansas passed away Monday, December 20, 2021 at Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, Kansas. Rosary will begin at 3:00 p.m. with visitation 3:30 p.m.- 4:30 p.m.to follow on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at Bruce Funeral Home, 106 S. Center, Gardner, Kansas 66030 (913) 856-7111. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 30, 2021 at Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 555 W. Main, Gardner, Kansas. Burial at St. Columbia Catholic Cemetery, Gardner, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to Divine Mercy Building Fund or Gardner Historical Society. Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome.com
Vi was born March 17, 1919 in Chesterfield, Illinois to John George and Katherine (Adam) Horn. She graduated from high school in 1937 in Greenfield, Illinois. Vi married James Vincent Bigelow on June 23, 1940. Together they became parents to Rachel, Margaret and James. They moved to Gardner in 1942 and Vi worked at the Sunflower Ordinance Plant during WWII with her sister-in-law Thelma (McKaig) Bigelow. Vincent passed away in 1969. In 1991, she married Edward McConnell and moved to Overland Park, Kansas. Vi worked at Gill Studios as a proofreader, retiring at age 70. James passed away in 2001 and she moved back to live in Gardner. She enjoyed baking, gardening, canning, playing bridge and creating ceramics. Vi was active in the Catholic Church, a member of the Sacred Heart Altar Society and doing volunteer work. Vi was a room mother and field trip chaperone for her children. She campaigned for the March of Dimes, receiving an appreciation certificate from JOCO Chapter of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, volunteered at Camp Fire USA Heartland Council, Overland Park receiving their Twenty-First Century Award in 2002, Sacred Heart Country Store Crafts and Gardner Museum. Vi was on the Advisory Board of the Gardner Historical Society and awarded the Certificate of Recognition as Distinguished Citizen of Gardner in 2007. She maintained St. Columbia Cemetery records for 45 years, retiring in 2014. Vi clipped and sent coupons to Safehome, Overland Park until 2021.
Vi was a loving wife and mother, enjoying time spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She led a full and active life and will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
Vi was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Vincent and Edward; sisters Helen Barnett and Burdella Haven and daughter Margaret Barclift. She is survived by her daughter Rachel O’Connor, Scottsdale, Arizona; son James (Jim) Bigelow and wife Allyn, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; grandchildren: Jeffery and Michael O’Connor, Shannon Foley, Lindsey Stucky and Jordon Bigelow and eleven great-grandchildren.