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Obituary of Constance Lucille Fagen
Constance "Connie" Fagen passed away on June 9, 2023, at her home while in hospice care. She was born on April 20, 1941, in Pipestone, Minnesota, to Neil and Zona (Heller) Quinn, and was the second of seven children. Connie graduated from Pipestone High School in 1959 and later moved to St. Paul.
In 1961, Connie married Dean Fagen and raised their three children in Mendota Heights. Dean unexpectedly passed away in 1979 after a brief illness. In 1982, she married her high school sweetheart, Jay Tonsfeldt; they were married for 41 years.
Connie was an accomplished woman who traveled the U.S., Europe, and Singapore for Tapemark as a record-setting sales manager. Soon after joining Tapemark, Connie joined the Southview Golf Club where she participated in many club activities and became a skilled golfer. She retired from Tapemark in 2007, after 28 dedicated years.
For 16 years, she and Jay had a second home in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. It was here that Connie became involved in watercolor painting and pastels with local artist groups and enjoyed using the longer golf season to sharpen her skills. In more recent years, she and Jay embarked on new adventures, spending winters in both Arizona and Florida. They enjoyed bringing their large, blended family together for many merry Christmas Eves and summer holidays.
Connie was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2007. With successful treatment, she achieved a remarkable 17-year remission. This past November, the cancer abruptly returned. After many treatments, complications, and hospital stays, she bravely decided to enter hospice care at home. Connie’s classic mantra was, “I love my home, and I am not leaving until they carry me out!”
Connie is survived by her husband, Jay Tonsfeldt and her eight children. Jack May (Lisa), Joe Fagen (Stacey), Kelly Fagen, Julianne (Fagen) Ratliff (Casey), Brad Tonsfeldt, Susan (Tonsfeldt) Williams (Jeff), Tom Tonsfeldt (Stephanie), and Meredith (Tonsfeldt) Janisch (Tony). She has 18 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by siblings Diane Carlson (Curt), Barbara Eschle, Tom Quinn (Shirley), Gene Quinn (Amy), and Dale Quinn. She was preceded in death by her parents, Zona (Heller) and Neil Quinn, her first husband Dean, her youngest sister Kathleen, and grandson Thomas May.
A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 pm Monday, June 19th at Willwerscheid Funeral Home West Heights Chapel. The Memorial Service will be livestreamed on the Willwerscheid Facebook page. The livestream won't start until 3PM and will be saved on our facebook page so you may go back and watch it at a later time.
A visitation will be held from 12:00-3:00. 235 Wentworth Avenue W, West St. Paul. Memorial contributions can be directed to M Health Fairview Nursing Education Fund
A burial will take place in Pipestone, MN at a later date.
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