Connie Gau

Colleen “Connie” Ann (Arkfeld) Gau was born to Vincent and Anna Marie (Schmitz) Arkfeld on March 17, 1938, on a farm near Panama, Iowa. She was baptized in St. Mary's Church in Panama, and received her First Holy Communion and Confirmation at St. Peter’s Church in Defiance, Iowa.

Connie grew to adulthood on the family farm near Portsmouth, Iowa, and graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1955. On October 24, 1956, she was united in marriage to Phil Gau at St. Mary Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Portsmouth, Iowa. After marriage, the couple moved to Phil’s parents’ farm northwest of Portsmouth. Phil and Connie enjoyed the many vacations taken with their families and attending the school activities of their children and grandchildren. She taught C.C.D. classes on Sunday and volunteered her time at the Catholic Schools in Portsmouth and Panama. Connie was a member of the Portsmouth American Legion Auxiliary, Quilting Club, Catholic Daughters of America and an employee of Communication Data Service in Harlan, Iowa, for over twenty years.

Connie died on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, at Rose Vista Nursing Home in Woodbine, Iowa, at the age of 81 years, 11 months and 16 days.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Dr. Don Arkfeld; and nephew, Dennis Sonderman. She is survived by her husband, Phil Gau of Panama; children, Ron Gau and wife Kathy of Persia, Iowa, Rick Gau and wife Lois of Woodbine, Iowa, Dave Gau and wife Nancy Gau of Harlan, Iowa, Janel and husband Mark McKinney of Underwood, Iowa, Julie and husband Dave Esser of Woodbine, and Rachele and husband Kirk Campbell of Council Bluffs, Iowa; 14 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; brother, Dr. Francis Arkfeld and wife Peggy of Omaha, Nebraska; sisters, Lola Sonderman and husband Ken of La Habra, California, and LaVonne and husband Bob Deirs of Scottsdale, Arizona; sister-in-law, Dr. Sara Arkfeld of Omaha; and many other nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, MEMORIALS MAY BE DIRECTED TO: MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION