Connie Jo King

Philomath- We celebrate the life of Connie Jo King who went to heaven March 19, 2021. Connie was born in Lincoln, Nebraska to Dorothy Wilma Jeffreys and Alvin Earl Russell on August 25, 1953. They moved to Idaho after her birth where they raised her and her siblings on the farm. She was the sixth of eight children in the Russell family: Alva Bequeath, Rick Russell, Monie Watson, Mary Jones, Chuck Russell, Terri Ellis, and Jeff Russell. Their mom died when she was only 16, and she managed to complete high school the next year. Soon after, in 1970, she married Ronald Clarence Steiger in Caldwell, Idaho. She had Christina, their first daughter, before moving to Washington briefly and then on to Kansas City, Missouri. She welcomed Toni, their second daughter, before Ron’s tragic death in 1975. Connie and the girls moved back to Idaho briefly before settling in Oregon. She married Larry Dean King in Philomath Oregon on February 29, 1976 and remained married until his death in 2012. Their daughter McKenzie was born in 1977. Connie was forever changed by the life of, then death of McKenzie in 1986. She adored her grandchildren, Jarren and Lincoln Steiger and Daria Morris, and was the best auntie to her many nieces and nephews by birth, marriage, adoption, and choice. While her first experience with church was at the Salvation Army as a kid, through the years she found many loved friends from attending Rockwood Church of God, Philomath Church of the Nazarene, and The Refuge.  She dedicated her life to the care and education of many. She did childcare in her early years, taught vacation bible school or Sunday school for over 40 years, volunteered at Philomath Nazarene Christian School teaching kindergarten and first grade for 12 years, and tutored adults in reading and prepared them for driver’s exams. So many people love Jesus and can read because of her! She made people feel cared for and special. No one baked cookies like her in quantity (72 dozen one Christmas season) or taste (many have tried to make her sugar cookies, and they are just not the same). She enjoyed scrapbooking, really loved to pull baby teeth, and specialized in teaching kids to tie their shoes. She was the queen of giving Christmas pajamas. She brought joy to people through her selflessness and generosity.  She looked for the best in those around her and loved unconditionally. She will be missed more than words can express.