Constance Elizabeth Rome (Nee) Wold

Constance Elizabeth (née Wold) Rome of Stillwater, MN (formerly of Anchorage, Alaska and Sun Lakes, Arizona) passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus on August 25, 2023 at the age of 87, surrounded by her family.

Connie was born in St. Paul, MN on October 19, 1935, to Reverend Norman P. and Marguerite Wold.  She was baptized December 22, 1935 at First Lutheran Church in St. Paul and confirmed by her father May 5, 1949 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater.

As a young child, Connie lived in St. Paul, MN, Prophetstown, IL, West St. Paul, MN and Des Moines, IA.  In 1946, she and her two younger brothers moved to the picturesque river town of Stillwater, MN.  She enjoyed spending time at her grandmother’s summer home on Forest Lake where she loved to swim and boat with her siblings and cousins.

A 1953 Stillwater high school graduate, Connie was an honor roll student and involved in Girls State.  Following high school, Connie attended Gustavus Adolphus College, graduating in 1957 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a secondary education licensure.  She participated in Chapel Choir and was a member of the Alpha Phi Rho sorority.

While at Gustavus, a fellow sorority sister set her up on a blind date.  Despite her date, Dick Rome, jokingly cheering for the opposing football team, sparks flew.  After college, Connie sent Dick a letter having penned the words “All roads lead to Rome”.  Soon after, Dick proposed to Connie and their adventure began!

Dick moved to Anchorage, Alaska where he worked at Evergreen Memorial Chapel as a funeral director, and later, as a partner.  Connie followed him to Anchorage the summer of 1959 (before Alaska was a state!) living in the infamous Green House at 503 9th Avenue with three other teachers. She taught English at Central Junior High School. 

Connie married the love of her life, Richard Rome, on December 26, 1959 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater, MN. Children Stuart, Kelly, and Amy followed the next six years. 

Connie and Dick built a home near Westchester Lagoon in Anchorage. They created a home filled with laughter and love. Connie was her children’s biggest cheerleader and a devoted mother who exposed her children to sports, the fine arts, and church activities. Lutheran family camp, skiing at Mt. Alyeska, musical concerts and summer vacations in MN were at the top of the list. Connie did everything with purpose and intention. 

Connie and Dick joined Central Lutheran Church in 1959. There they made lifelong friends sharing Thanksgivings and Christmases as if they were family. The fellowship between these friends was one-of-a-kind.

Connie was active in Ruth Circle, Altar Guild and volunteered driving the local neighborhood children to Central Lutheran’s preschool in the ‘70s.  She actively supported the youth. 

Connie was a part of the Inlet View Elementary PTA and volunteered for the March the Dimes.  She was active in the Anchorage Womans Club and AAUW. Connie loved Alaska and made sure that friends who visited from the Lower 48 were set up with a fantastic sightseeing itinerary.

After Dick’s retirement in 1994 and 35 years in Anchorage, Connie and Dick moved to enjoy winters in Sun Lakes, Arizona, and summers in Woodbury, Minnesota.  While in Sun Lakes, she immersed herself in all social aspects of their Oakwood Country Club community - MN/AK picnics, Lady Putters, Wine Club, New Year’s Eve galas, Sun Lakes Ladies’ Luncheons, Sons of Norway and the Lutheran Rally in the Valley. She supported Dick in all his golf and tennis endeavors. Together they loved having friends and family visit them in AZ. They were active members of Holy Trinity Lutheran in Chandler, AZ and Trinity Lutheran in Stillwater, MN.

Connie’s favorite things were her children and their families along with  Dick’s way of making everything fun. She loved her Swedish and Norwegian heritage.  She enjoyed learning about her family tree and sharing it with her children and grandchildren. Chatting and spending time with family, singing hymns, and enjoying excellent seats at a concert or musical along with anything Gustavus were things she relished.

In 2018, Connie and Dick moved to Stillwater, MN to be closer to family. Their devotion to family and to each other was a testament of their love.

Connie had a strong and steadfast faith. We will miss her beautiful smile and are comforted knowing that we will see her again in heaven.  She is forever in our hearts.

Connie is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Richard (Dick) Rome, son Stuart (Lori) Rome, daughter Kelly (John) Johnson, daughter Amy Rome; grandchildren Ethan, Alexander, Emily, and Anders, Katelyn, Lauren (Cole), Megan, and Ashley; great grandchildren Landon, Brady and Lincoln; brothers Norman (Norma) Wold and J. Stephen (Mary) Wold; Mary Beth Wold; cousins Elizabeth (Peter) Ekholm, Deborah (John) Lewis, James (Yvonne) Herberg, Erin Herberg; nephews Erik Wold, Dr. David (Dr. Katie Divine) Wold; niece Allison (Matt) Merriman and many more.

Preceded in death by her father Reverend Norman P. Wold and mother Marguerite Elizabeth Wold Schmidt; grandparents Nils Pontus and Mina Elise Wold, Oscar and Elizabeth Herberg; aunts/uncles Helen Constance and Carl Johnson, Aaron James and Virginia Herberg; nephew Mark Norman Wold; niece Kristin Collins.  

Memorials preferred to Trinity Lutheran Church, Central Lutheran Church (Anchorage, AK) or Gustavus Adolphus College.

A celebration of Connie’s life will be held at 11AM, on September 7, 2023, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater, MN. Family and friends may visit one hour prior. Luncheon to follow service. Interment at Union Cemetery in Maplewood.
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