Connie Lynn (Fletcher) Powell was born on December 31, 1948 in Akron, Colorado. She died May 9, 2025, in Wichita, Kansas. Born to AJ and Betty Jean (Hayes) Fletcher, Connie was raised on the family homestead southwest of Akron, Colorado.
Connie graduated from Akron High School and attended Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kansas, where she met, and fell in love with, Denny Powell. They married in 1968 and had two children, Debbie and Todd.
Connie began her career as a high school home economics teacher in Salina, Kansas and Goodland, Kansas where she was also a real estate agent. She later furthered her education, earning a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Special Education from Fort Hays State University. She was a classroom teacher in Norton, Kansas and Wichita, Kansas and also served as a district administrator, retiring from USD 259 (Wichita Public School District) as the Director of Early Childhood Special Education.
Connie was passionate about the outdoors and was always up for an adventure. From riding horses to water and snow skiing to cruising the country in the Corvette she embraced every opportunity to celebrate life. Connie spent many years riding shotgun as Denny’s navigator in SORC (Sandhills Open Road Challenge) in Arnold, Nebraska. Connie and Denny made many lifelong friends with whom they shared these travels down life’s highway.
Connie’s skills and interests were varied. She was an expert seamstress and award-winning quilter, she played the dulcimer, learned how to Western Dance, loved to sing and was an avid reader, consistently setting an example for her children and grandchildren, demonstrating the value of education and the importance of continuous learning. One of her greatest joys was reading to her grandchildren, all of whom cherish the fond memories of those special moments.
Connie was preceded in death by her parents AJ and Betty Jean and brother Cliff Fletcher. She is survived by: Her husband of 57 years, Denny, Wichita, Kansas; Her children, Debbie Beam (Jared), Topeka, Kansas and Todd Powell (Trina), Hays, Kansas; Her grandchildren, Stephanie Bender (Trae Johnson); Thomas Bender III (Reagan White); Teghan Beam; Evan Powell; Eli Powell; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Connie was diagnosed in 2021 with frontotemporal dementia, which affects speech, mobility and executive function. Despite her diagnosis, she continued to visit family and friends and won the hearts of her caregivers with her kindness and quiet dignity, core qualities that the disease could never hide.
Connie’s family will be forever grateful to her caregivers.
A celebration of Connie’s life will be held at 6pm on May 21, 2025 at: Botanica, The Koi Pond Pavilion 701 N. Amidon St., Wichita, Kansas 67203
Memorials can be directed to: Comfort Care Homes, 245 N. Waco, Ste. 220, Wichita, Kansas 67202. Traditions Hospice Care, 3221 N. Toben, Ste.200, Wichita, KS 67226