Connie (Roth) Kingsley

Connie Mae Kingsley (Roth), age 85 of Fargo, passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, April 28, 2022 at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND.

Connie was born on May 30, 1936 to Jacob and Florence (Lueck) Roth in Breckinridge, MN.  Connie and her older sister, Jacquelyn “Jackie” (Johanson) were raised in Wahpeton, ND. She often reminisced how blissful her childhood was and was still close to some of her high school friends late into her life. She attended Wahpeton High School and graduated in 1954. Connie then attended North Dakota Agriculture College (NDSU) where she met her husband of 52 years, Truman “T.K.” Kingsley. The college sweethearts were married in November 26, 1955. They built their home on the Kingsley family farm in Wheatland, ND, and welcomed three beautiful children, Barbara, Kathryn, and Truman. Many years of Connie’s life were devoted to nurturing her children and supporting her husband in raising show cattle and running their wheat farm. The family moved to Northfield, Ohio, in 1964 when T.K. was offered the position to manage Cyrus Eaton’s Acadia Farm. She was a wonderful seamstress and knitter and would sew clothes and knit mittens and hats for her children and husband. She continued to knit all her life and enjoyed gifting mittens or washcloths to her loved ones. Connie delighted in hosting and cooking for large gatherings and everyone on the farm. They moved back to Wheatland in 1974, she enjoyed seeing her children grow, become parents themselves, and taking on the role of grandma.

Her grandchildren all have fond memories visiting Grandma and Grandpa on the farm in Wheatland. Everyone knew where the candy drawer was (Connie had a sweet tooth right up until her last days), and they enjoyed learning how to garden, knit, and bake with Grandma. Her joyful “hello” and sweet embrace when entering her home always made you feel special.

After her husband passed in 2008, she moved to Fargo and enjoyed the last decade beautifying her home and spending time with her close friends and family. Connie appreciated and took pride in her home and yard. You could find her spending her summers tending to her beautiful flowers. Her bird baths and feeders were always full and the birds and bunnies knew her yard was a sanctuary. Connie loved all animals; her grandpuppies were just as special to her as her grandchildren. Connie looked forward to winters in Florida to continue her love of the outside on the beaches of Clearwater. She loved walking the beaches collecting shells, and avidly reading mysteries. 

Connie’s greatest joys in life were her family; her children, 8 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren. She was a devoted and proud supporter of her grandchildren, often traveling long distances to be there for their special events. She always had time to lend a listening ear, was wonderful at keeping in touch with so many friends and extended family. Connie will be remembered for her infectious smile, tender heart, spunkiness, and strong will.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents, husband Truman, sister Jackie and brother-in-law Bill, beloved daughter Kathryn “Kate” Kensok, and son-in-law Kermit “Kit” Johnson.

She is survived by her eldest daughter, Barbara Johnson, Hettinger, ND, and son Truman JW (Becky) Kingsley, Wheatland, ND; eight loving grandchildren Brandon (Lindsey) Carey, Elizabeth (Justin) Wanner, Jenny (Mike) Whitley, Nicole Johnson, Ellen (Bobby) Heinrich, Ethan Kensok, Hannah Kingsley, and Lydia (Clinton) Treichel; and 10 extra-special great-grandchildren Robert, Ean, Pryce, Josie, Grady, Cale, Zane, Kit, Ned, and Grayson.   

Memorial gifts may be directed to Ethos Home Care, Wheatland Cemetery, or the Truman Kingsley Scholarship Fund at NDSU Alumni Foundation.

A service celebrating Connie’s life is planned for Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 11am at West Funeral Home Chapel in Casselton, ND with visitation one hour prior and lunch following. The burial will be at the Wheatland Cemetery.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

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