Connie J. Kallaus

Connie J. Kallaus

Contance “Connie” Joan (Schawe) Kallaus peacefully departed this world July 26, 2025 surrounded by her loving family.

Connie was born in Spearville, KS December 31, 1941 to Corwin and Margaret (Kramer) Schawe. She spent her childhood on the family farm south of Spearville, the third of six children. All of her schooling was in Spearville where she graduated from Spearville High School in 1959. As a young adult, Connie worked for The Spearville News in Spearville and Southwestern Bell in Dodge City, KS, before meeting her future husband, Eugene “Gene” Francis Kallaus. They married July 21, 1962 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Spearville. Their first home together was San Diego, CA where Gene was stationed with the U.S. Navy. Over the next 60 years together, they made homes in California, Kansas, Texas and Colorado, adding six children along the way. In 1987 Gene & Connie moved to Burlington, CO where they spent the remainder of their lives together. She was an engaged member of the community and St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church where, over the years, she taught kindergarten CCD, was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society and sang in the choir.

Connie was blessed to be a stay-at-home mother for most of her child rearing years. She took immense joy in making memories for her family through her creative and artistic talents such as fun and beautifully decorated birthday cakes, homemade costumes, and decorations for every holiday. Her creative talent in writing included the “Petunia Potter” column over the last three years in The Burlington Record newspaper. She missed her calling as party planner as she always had amazing and fun ideas for parties and special occasions. Connie loved Barbie and used her excellent sewing skills to make beautiful and detailed Barbie clothes. She loved everything about Elvis, treasuring his old LP’s and her many Elvis trinkets.

She found being a grandmother one of God’s greatest gifts, showering her grandchildren with much love and affection, playing, singing, dancing, and reading with them. Each of them has sweet memories of their time with her, especially the nostalgic Kit Carson County Carousel, a staple to every one of their summer visits.

Connie enjoyed traveling. Once her children were grown, she went on many adventures with her husband, siblings, friends and family, fulfilling many of her “wish list” destinations, with Hawaii and The Holy Land being at the top. She looked forward to the annual mother/daughter retreat with her daughters, daughter-in-law and granddaughters, where themed dinners, silly antics, lots of laughter and making of memories took place.

Connie is survived and deeply missed by her six children, Jana (Cloyde) Gregory, Bennett, CO, Lisa (Troy) Angel, Grand Junction, CO, Katie (David) Stassen, Cedaredge, CO, Kelly (Shawn) Tasset, Spearville, KS, James (Kendra) Kallaus, Grand Junction, CO and LeAnne (Harrison) Rehor, Vernon, CO, a sister, Sharla (Schawe) Thill, Ellinwood, KS, and a brother, Denny Schawe, Spearville, KS, 19 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene, her parents, brothers Ben Schawe and Mike Schawe and sister Margie (Schawe) Combest.

Services for Connie include visitation Wednesday, July 30 from 4-6 p.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Burlington, followed by a rosary at 6 p.m. Funeral services are Thursday, July 31 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church immediately followed by burial at Fairview Cemetery in Burlington and lunch at the St. Catherine parish center.

Memorial contributions may be made out to the St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.