Connie Lukes, 66

May 6, 1958-

April 16,2025

 

PROTIVIN - Connie (Bruess) Lukes, 66, of Protivin, Iowa, passed away peacefully, surrounded by those who loved her most on April 16, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born May 6, 1958, Connie was the sixth of ten children born to Art and Irene Bruess, and from day one, she had a big heart, a quick wit, and a personality that drew people in. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 21, 2025 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church with Fr. Nick Radloff and Deacon Jim Zajicek presiding. Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 20, 2025 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Holy Trinity Church, and will continue from 9:00 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. on Monday before the service.  

Connie was known for her kindness, her honesty, and her sharp sense of humor. If you met her once, you remembered her. She made people laugh, feel seen, and feel loved - and she didn't take life too seriously, even when it threw challenges her way. 

Connie graduated from Turkey Valley High School, where she was a standout student and athlete, excelling in six-on-six basketball and softball. Her athletic talent took her to Ellsworth College and later to the University of Northern Iowa, where she helped lead her team to a national championship in softball. Connie was later inducted into the UNI Hall of Fame – an honor she rarely mentioned but deeply cherished. She continued playing softball well into her 40s, and was famously known for her flexibility and her signature move: doing the splits at first base while making the play. 

Connie didn't just play sports –she coached them too. She always brought out the best in her players. The kids respected and adored her both on and off the field, whether it was telling jokes, giving pep talks or throwing her left handed "spinners". 

After moving back to Protivin, Connie worked at Larson's - a local bar and grill. Eventually, Connie took over the business and called it "Connie's Place" – many drinks and laughs were shared during these years.

Connie went on to work at Donaldson's in Cresco, Iowa for 32 years, where she was known for her strong work ethic, sense of humor, and ability to form lasting friendships. Her presence brought warmth and laughter to the workplace, and her coworkers became like family. Creative to her core, Connie was the queen of throwing together candy bar posters and hilarious custom books for birthdays, retirements, and special events. If Connie made you one of her signature gifts, you knew it was going to be the highlight of the event and talked about long after the party ended. 

Every year, Connie eagerly anticipated one of her favorite holidays–Halloween. Her home quickly became a favorite stop for all the Protivin trick-or-treaters, who looked forward to seeing what imaginative (and sometimes scary) costumes Connie would unveil each year. Her infectious excitement made Halloween a little more magical for everyone in town. 

She was also the heart of family gatherings - always the one bringing open-faced ham sandwiches, chip dip, broccoli and rice, and her famous breaded pork. Everyone looked forward to her food and her presence in equal measure.

But more than anything, Connie loved her family. She was the beloved wife of Keith Lukes, proud mom to Megan (Panos) and mother-in-law to Kyle Panos, and the best "Nana" to Ryder, Lainey, and Ellie. Her grandkids lit up her world, and she lit up theirs right back. 

She is survived by the above along with her siblings Donna (Doug) Reiseck, Kathy (Dale) Ryan, Diane Sullivan, Jan Hansmeier, Larry Bruess, Randy (Zita) Bruess, Betty (Doug) Soukup, and Cindy (Ed) Behr along with her mother-in-law, Agnes Lukes, sisters/brothers-in-law Julie Schwade (Al Bagby), Lori Lukes (Dean Graven), Lynn (Rodney) Franzen, Greg (Lori) Lukes, Randy (Dawn) Lukes, and Carla Lukes (Paul Johnson), as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. 

Connie was preceded in death by her parents, Art and Irene Bruess; her sister, Susie Bruess; brother-in-law, Bill Sullivan; and father-in-law, Russell Lukes.  

Connie was truly one of a kind. She was the kind of person who made everything more fun, more heartfelt, and more meaningful. She leaves behind a huge group of family, friends, and former teammates who will miss her terribly - and remember her  forever. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.