Connie M. Orness (Albright)

Connie M. Orness, 73 of Devils Lake formerly of Jamestown and Valley City, ND passed away on Monday, April 20, 2020 at CHI, St. Alexius Health, Devils Lake Hospital after a courageous battle with cancer.

Graveside Services will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Devils Lake Cemetery with Reverend Lyle Belleque officiating.  Social distancing practices will be followed. God Bless You All. 

Connie Marie Albright, daughter of Clarence and Vilma (Dahl) Albright was born on December 11, 1946 in Sharon, ND. She was raised in Jamestown, ND and graduated from St. John’s Academy in Jamestown.  Connie was married to Stanley Robert Orness from 1963 to 1980 and they were the proud parents of four children.   

They established their home in Valley City ND and in 1966 moved to Aberdeen, SD. Connie was a member of the Jayceettes, was very involved in Scouting and also in the “Racing Scene”/motor sports.  They also opened their home and their hearts to many foster children through the years. 

A move back to Valley City in 1976 brought many new adventures and they were owners and operators of several businesses there.

Connie then made the move to Minnesota, where her two youngest children graduated from Park Rapids High School. Eventually Connie made the move to Devils Lake, ND to be closer to her children.  Her caring heart included living in Arizona for several years caring for her mother and eventually bringing her to Devils Lake, caring for Vilma until her death in 2017. 

Throughout her life, Connie worked many jobs to make ends meet and support her family. She loved every opportunity she had to attend her kids/grandkids events and treasured spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was always willing to lend a hand teaching crafts and gardening-“passing on the love!”

Connie’s passion was always sewing and crafting. After moving to Devils Lake, Connie and her daughter had “The Little Shop On The Corner”, “Just For YOU!! Empowering YOU!!”. Connie put so much into the shop and loved working with all the customers.  She supported all the crafters as if they were her children.  She always had your back whether you crafted or were a customer. 

Connie’s loving family include her children Jamie Paul (Ronnette) Orness, Rebecca Ann (Bill) Person and Michael Wade (Cassi) Orness all of Devils Lake and Timothy Lee (Brenda) Orness of West Fargo, ND; grandchildren Jannelle (Kent) Stevens, Jamie (fiancé Curt Mathiason) Orness, Robert (fiancé Jordan McGath) Orness, Jaydee Orness, Tara (Kurt) Franke, Tina (Josh) Elverud, Hunter Person (Bailey Quam), Elizabeth Orness, Evan Orness and Harper Orness; great grandchildren Kayleigh Stevens, Brayden Stevens, Abbigail (T) Anderson, Ayden Martinson, Ryder Elverud and Kane Elverud; brothers Bryan (Mary) Albright of Jamestown ND and Rod (Diane) Albright of Billings MT and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Vilma, step father John Sanders and brothers Jimmy and Phillip Albright.