Connie Bontrager

Connie Sue Chilson Bontrager, 61, died September 30, 2012 at Topeka, Kansas.  She was born March 3, 1951 in Axtell, Kansas to George W. and Florence H. (Spille) Chilson; Connie attended school at Sabetha, Kansas and graduated high school there in 1970.

Connie had many passions in life.  The 1 ^st was her one and only son Brett Bontrager, 2 ^nd was her idol ‘Elvis’, 3 ^rd and 4 ^th was her work and her passion to serve people.  She has worked as an owner and manager at Gary’s Place in Hiawatha, a waitress at Wagon Wheel in Horton, and her lastly, at Philly’s Sports bar in Fairview.  Connie had a family of friends, (not customers) that were out of this world and she loved every one of them.  She also had her ‘Elvis Room’, (house) of which she had collected many Elvis items over her life time.

Early in her life hobbies began with; bowling league in Hiawatha, and also at State Tournaments, movies such as John Wayne and Elvis, wrestling, and TV sports of which she was a huge KSU fan.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents, and one brother Wayne Cornelius of Topeka, Kansas.  Survivors are her son Brett Bontrager of Horton, sister Geraldine Beikman and her husband Delton of Linn, Kansas, brother Louis Chilson and his wife Rose Anne of Paola, Kansas; and many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.  She will be greatly missed by family and many friends.

A memorial service with visitation will be Saturday, October 13, 2012 from 11:00 to 12:30 p.m. at the Fairview Community Center.  The inurnment will be made in the Bern Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to help with funeral expenses.