Born: Sunday Apr-07-1940
Died: Saturday Dec-30-2023
Funeral: Friday Jan-05-2024

Morrison Funeral Home
& Crematory
188 S. Hwy 24
Rupert, Idaho 83350
Contact and Directions

CONNIE L. VANDERSCHANS
RUPERT -Connie L. Vanderschans, a resident of Rupert, Idaho, passed peacefully away on Saturday December 30, 2023 in her home. A simple service and celebration of life will be held on Friday, January 5, 2024 at Morrison Funeral Home at 2 pm.

She was born Constance Louise Charles on April 7, 1940, in Swan Lake, Idaho, to Howard R. Charles and Estella (Gambles) Charles. She was the youngest of four children and loved her brothers Clyde, Rudy, and Monte. Estella later married Verdon Cordingley who lovingly raised Connie as his own daughter. She was raised in the Preston area and graduated from North Gem High School in Bancroft, ID in 1958. She always loved horses and was often found riding bareback through Bancroft even as a young girl. Connie was very active in high school including student government, the rodeo club, thespian club, she was a majorette, a cheerleader, Homecoming Queen, Caribou County Rodeo Queen, and Miss Caribou County Runner-up! She was always beautiful both inside and outside and loved by all who got to know her.

In her senior year, the student government students travelled to Boise to take part in a Youth Legislators field trip. It was here that she met Gene M. Ranstrom from Marsh Valley H.S. in Arimo, ID. They began dating later and got to know each other while attending college in Pocatello. Gene used to state with a grin, “that he didn’t really know Connie during high school but he definitely knew who Monte Charles was” as they met annually on the football field and basketball court, as both were star rivalry competitive athletes. Gene and Connie were later married and had three children together including Roxanne (Warren), Charles G. (Ranstrom), and Leslie R. (Cook).

They moved to Amarillo, Texas after graduation and Gene went to work for the Ryder Truck Co. and during the first Christmas they were not able to return home, Connie helped Gene prepare a pinata with gifts and treats to send home to the family in Arimo, a custom they learned in Texas, which has been an annual tradition in the Ranstrom Family since that first Christmas in 1964. Daughter Roxanne Warren was born in Amarillo in 1966. They were pregnant with their second child in 1969 and actually considered naming him Ryder Van Ranstrom! Luckily while visiting family for Thanksgiving in Idaho Falls, Idaho, Connie gave birth to and named their son Charles Gene Ranstrom.

In 1970 they moved to Idaho Falls, ID. to be closer to family and Gene went to work in construction. Connie gave birth to daughter Leslie Renae in 1972. They built a home at the Idaho Falls Country Club around 1974 and enjoyed the friends and lifestyle the neighborhood provided. Connie loved to play golf and then later play cards in the club house. She was always very social. Connie always loved to play cards and even taught her children to play cribbage at a young age to always have partners to play with her! All of her brothers lived close and all worked at H-K Contractors.

Gene and Connie were divorced around 1980 and Connie remarried Craig Anderson in 1984 and moved to Boise, Idaho. She and Craig were divorced within a few years. She began to rebuild her life and pledged to never marry again!
Connie then met Robert Vanderschans while out socializing with girlfriends and agreed to dance with him. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen! He convinced her to go golfing with him the next day, and soon they were dating full time. They both had found the love of their lives and were married January 29, 1991 and started down the path to a plus 32 year marriage together!

In 1992 Connie was diagnosed with cancer and began a scary path of aggressive treatment. Her husband Bob was certainly the key to her successful treatment and her greatest supporter and champion. The doctors told them that Connie was in remission but the probability was high that the cancer would return. They wanted to maximize all their remaining time together so Bob retired early from the Air Guard and they bought a motorhome to travel the country together. They cherished their time together and the intimacy of traveling together with only their dog Rusty joining them on the journey. The accidental death of a longtime friend forced the end of the journey as they returned to Pocatello to comfort the widow, Connie’s life-long friend.
After a few months, Connie’s brother Rudy convinced Bob that he should go to work with him at H-K Contractors. Bob had always had a fascination with semi-trucks and went to work driving truck and began a second career at H-K. They purchased a home in Idaho Falls and lived happily there for 22 years. They enjoyed good friends and family there, playing cards with the same, golfing, and trips to Fort Hall! Connie was always good at games of chance and was very lucky! Bob and Connie enjoyed their trips for many years!

In 2017 Bob and Connie sold their home in Idaho Falls and built a new home in Rupert to be closer to her family. Their new location allowed them to spend more time with family, and enjoy a new social adventure in a great small town. Connie always loved the small-town life and the quality of life that comes with it! She often returned to Bancroft and Swan Lake for community celebrations throughout her lifetime.

She is survived by her husband Robert Vanderschans, son Charles G. (Leslie) Ranstrom, daughter Leslie Cook, stepdaughter Brooke (Bob) Colquitit, stepson Slade (Amber) Vanderschans, stepdaughter Rani (Brett) Aeschbacher, and many grandchildren. She especially loved spending time with granddaughters Charlotte Cook, Stella Cook, and Lucy Warren!
She is preceded in death by her parents Estella & Verdon Cordingley, her brothers Clyde Charles, Rudy Charles, Lamont Charles, and her daughter Roxanne Warren.

Condolences:

She was a special person and had the biggest heart. She always made you feel welcomed. My heart goes out to her family...Brooke Colquitt