Connie Susan Van Keuren, 61, of Baldwin, Wis., passed away peacefully at home on Dec. 5, 2023, surrounded by loved ones. Born in Hudson, Wis., in 1962, Connie’s life was like one of the beautiful quilts she created, woven with family and friends, laughter, generosity, kindness and unconditional love.
Connie’s early years were split between Wisconsin and Mesa, Colo., shaping her love for both rural life and the beauty of nature. Following her family’s return to Wisconsin, she graduated from River Falls High School and proudly served in the United States Army. In 1981, she embarked on a lifelong journey with her beloved best friend and husband, Mike.
Her sons, Luke and Jake, were Connie’s pride and joy. They weren’t only sons but her friends. Being “Grandma Con” to Nella and Eleanor was her delight. She taught them to sew (with her favorite color green fabric), bake pies, laugh, and brought them on adventures to Spook Cave and Glen Hills. They will miss her hugs, kisses and smile most of all.
Connie’s work at Magnusson Veterinary Services was more than a job. It’s where she found friends in customers and worked alongside family. All her life, Connie surrounded herself with animals: cats, dogs, and horses. There wasn’t a stray that got by Connie! Her love for the land and its creatures resonated in every aspect of her life, a testament to her childhood spent on the Grand Mesa in Colorado and on Glover Farm in Wisconsin.
Connie loved taking adventures with Mike, family and friends, whether it was riding horses, exploring on ATVs, touring a brewery, road trips to find the best fabric shop, or kayaking the Apple River.
Her creativity flourished through quilting and sewing, using nature’s (“Connie colors”) of green, brown, yellow and orange. She leaves a legacy of handcrafted treasures for her loved ones to cherish.
Connie made you feel welcomed and loved. Her smile was authentic, her laugh was contagious, and her presence brought peace.
Connie was preceded in death by her father, Robert Bjerstedt; her stepmother, Betty Bjerstedt; her father-in-law, Dick Van Keuren; her mother-in-law, Ruth Van Keuren; her stepfather, Bud Clausen; and her cousin, Eric Bjerstedt.
She leaves behind her loving husband, Mike; her sons, Luke (wife Lindsay and granddaughters Nella and Eleanor) and Jake; her mother, Shirley Clausen; her sister, Terry McKay; her brother, Todd Bjerstedt; and countless extended family and friends whose lives she touched immensely. Connie’s family is deeply indebted to many during her last chapter, (especially the “A (+|-)” team).
A memorial visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023 at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services in River Falls, Wis. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly prefers memorials or donations be made in Connie’s memory to a charity of your choice.
