Connie Alexander

Constance “Connie” May Alexander (Bundy), age 85, of Backus, Minnesota, passed away in her sleep on April 10, 2019, with her husband Earl at her side. This October would have been their 70th wedding anniversary. Connie was born August 6, 1933, in Backus to Clyde and Florence Bundy (Brown) and was the youngest of five children. Connie was very close to her parents and siblings growing up and had a natural curiosity for life from the start.

In 1949, at the age of 16, Connie met and married her beloved husband Earl Alexander, age 20, of Fifty Lakes, Minnesota. Connie and Earl had the most genuine true love that lasts beyond the ages and forever. Connie would be Earl’s wife for 69 and a half years. In 1950, when Connie was 17 and Earl was 21, they had their first child, Marcus Alexander, and they would have four more children: Robin Alexander, Brian Alexander, Kathy Cox, and Merry Alexander. They raised their children at the Alexander homestead in Backus, MN, which Earl built for their family in 1959. It was just down the road from Connie’s childhood home. Connie’s children will tell you that their mother was very proud of her children, her husband, and her family heritage. Raising her children was her most important work. Everything in her life was rooted in her faith in God and her love for her family. She made a "home" wherever she was—even if she was just staying in a tent in the mountains, there would be a bouquet of flowers on the picnic table.

Connie decorated the family home for every holiday, and the kitchen was always filled with the warm, comforting aromas of delicious treats only made for that special time of year. Not just Christmas, but Easter, Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, and especially birthdays. One of her children’s favorite memories is how her mother made each of them feel extra special on their birthday by making their favorite meal and baking their favorite cake.

Connie’s children fondly remember how their mother would take them swimming in the lakes long before summer arrived because she loved the water and neither she nor the children could wait. Earl used to tell her that it was still too cold, but she would take them anyway while he was at work. One time she cut her foot on a piece of glass at the beach and had to fess-up that they had gone to the lakes.

Connie was a member of the Backus Nazarene Church since its very early days. She served the church in many ways, including playing piano and organ, singing in the choir, and teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She was active in women's Bible study and worked in the church kitchen and committees. She was always giving of her time, talents, baked goods, and anything else she could share.

Connie was known for her singing voice within the church and community. She had the rich, full alto voice that many folks long for and could harmonize with anyone. She refused to sing solos but was often singing in duets, trios, quartets and her church choir. If needed, she could slip down to a men's tenor part in a quartet and it was flawless.

Connie loved painting, creating beautiful things and her flower gardens. She grew as many flowers as she could in the short northern Minnesota growing season. She loved to read everything—and read voraciously. She was interested in many topics, including politics and history. She could usually name the members of the President's Cabinet and any other elected officials. That didn't just include the U.S., but other countries across the pond. When Connie was 48, she proudly completed her GED. Education was important to her, and she helped all of her children and grandchildren with their homework and was a teacher to many.

Connie always said she and Earl were “get up and go people.” They would drive across the country several times a year to visit their children and grandchildren. After driving out to her daughter Merry's house in Montana, she always said, "That's a long dusty trip." Connie also often accompanied Earl and their son Brian on their logging jobs in the wilderness.

Connie loved her husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren with all of her heart. She was a true matriarch, with a loving and caring spirit. She will forever live in all of our hearts. Connie’s late sons Robin and Brian would have been at her side to help lift her up to heaven, and mother and sons are now reunited.

Preceding her in death were sons, Robin Alexander and Brian Alexander. Surviving family members include her husband, Earl Alexander, Backus MN; and their children: Marcus Alexander (Kristy) of Littleton, CO, Kathy Cox (Phil) of Bemidji, MN, and Merry Alexander (Larry Kipf) of Forsyth, MT; 18 grandchildren; 33 great grandchildren; and 3 great-great grandchildren.

Connie's favorite Bible verse sums up her life and how she is now celebrating: "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God." - Matthew 5:8

Celebration of life will be 2 PM on Saturday, July 20, at the Church of the Nazarene in Backus. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Backus.