Ely, Constance 'C.J.' Redmann

Constance “C.J.” Redmann Ely, 68, of Pahrump, Nev., formerly of Anamosa and Cedar Rapids, succumbed to death in Pahrump after a long illness on May 4, 2013.

Survivors include two daughters, Victoria Ely Fee and husband Ken and their four children, Bonnie, Sarah, Robert and Charles, of North Atlanta, Ga., and Sarah J. McCollum and husband Greg and their three children, Timothy (White), Elizabeth and Catherine, of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; her mother, Eleanor Redmann of Port Charlotte, Fla.; four siblings and numerous nieces and nephews.

C.J. was preceded in death by her father, Kenneth P. Redmann Sr.

C.J. was born May 18, 1944, in Wisconsin to Ken and Eleanor (Shultz) Redmann. After graduating high school in Olin, Iowa, C.J. attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids and graduated with a teaching degree. After raising her two daughters she moved to Pahrump, Nev., where she taught middle school and high school math and science classes. Several years before retiring, C.J. transitioned to teaching adult high school classes and administered coursework for students seeking a GED.

C.J. was a lifelong Lutheran, supporting many LCMS causes that benefited those less fortunate throughout the world. She was a voracious reader, enjoyed cooking, and had become passionate about gardening before she took ill. In C.J.'s last months she was sustained by her faith but also by visits, photographs, pictures and cards from her seven grandchildren and those who cared about her, the caring and dedicated staff of Spring Valley Hospital in Las Vegas, the amazing and loving staff at Nathan Adelson Hospice in both Las Vegas and Pahrump, and snowy Mount Charleston, which she would often point out in wonder.

A private memorial and inurnment will take place at later date.

Memorials may be directed to Lutheran Church of the Cross, 2300 Luther Rd., Port Charlotte, FL 33983, where her brother, Kenneth, is senior pastor.

Published May 6, 2013 in The Gazette