Connie L. Hatter

Connie L. Hatter

Connie L. Hatter, age 69, of Plano, IL entered eternal life on Saturday, April 16, 2022 at Rush Copley Medical Center in Aurora, IL. Connie was a generous person that positively impacted lives and accomplished more with one hand, than most people could with two hands. Granted, having one hand never defined Connie and she firmly believed she was not handicapped. However, to truly appreciate her amazing life and accomplishments, first take a moment to imagine living a single day of your life with one hand – tie your shoes, zip up your coat, and cut a steak. Two statements capturing Connie’s motivations to achieve great accomplishments in life are: Where there’s a will, there’s a way & never be afraid to try

Connie was born on January 27, 1953 in Champaign, IL the daughter of Franklin and Neva (Allen) Smith. She grew up as her father’s “mini me” in the small town of Philo, IL.  She had two older brothers Lowell Curry and David Curry. Her dad taught her simple auto mechanics so she could take care of her own cars which she continued to do well into adulthood. Connie was preceded in death by her parents and brothers.

Connie was never afraid to try anything including sports such as basketball, volleyball, and softball. In youth, she was also in 4-H where she enjoyed cooking, crafts, and raising animals for fair competition such as rabbits, chickens, and a duck.

Connie met Gurney Hatter at Parkland College in Champaign, IL in 1972. After a short courtship, they were united in marriage on September 1, 1973 in a small church in Philo, IL, and they spent the next 49 years happily together. Her spirit is carried on by her husband; her daughters, Theodosia Hatter of Aurora, IL and Laura (Richard) Undesser III of Minooka, IL; her grandchildren, Charles (Tommy) and Paula Zaharias of Aurora, IL, Richard IV, Andrew, and Makayla Undesser, all of Minooka, IL; as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two nephews and her son-in-law, Grant Zaharias.

Connie and Gurney started bowling on a couple’s league in Tolono, IL. Connie was an accomplished bowler with countless 200+ games, multiple 600 series, and over four decades of competition in addition to being certified as a lane inspector, and youth bowling coach.

Connie was an avid crafter enjoying latch hook, plastic canvas, and many other crafts. As a seamstress, she made dresses for weddings, proms, other events, and then developed a passion for quilting. Connie made 24 quilts and donated them to Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago. If you ever needed a creative idea, you called Connie, and she had ideas.

After a trip to Alaska (30th wedding anniversary), Connie found that she liked wine and she started learning all about it. From there, she realized she could become a vintner and start making it. She has made at least 20 different types of wine and would only donate or give the bottles for free.

Connie’s favorite thing was playing in the dirt – AKA gardening. Connie maintained a large garden all her life. When Connie retired, she filled her free time with getting her Master Gardener designation through the University of Illinois Extension and was introduced to the Plano Community Garden. She was President of the Plano Community Garden in recent years and during her tenure the garden doubled their fresh vegetable donations to the Kendall County Food Pantry. She shared her love of gardening by making baskets of flowers for the pantry, handing out to the less fortunate, volunteering at the Plano YMCA teaching kids how to plant vegetables.

To honor Connie’s memory, family and friends are invited to visit starting at 4:00 PM central and join a Remembrance and Prayer at 7:00 PM central on Thursday, April 21, 2022 at the Nelson Funeral Home, 1010 W. South St., Plano, IL.

In lieu of flowers, donations in remembrance of Connie Hatter would be appreciated to Plano Community Garden PO Box 217, Plano, IL 60545 or the Kendall County Food Pantry 208 Beaver Street, Yorkville, IL 60560 (www.KCCFoodPantry.org).

Arrangement by Nelson Funeral Home & Crematory, www.NelsonFuneralHomes.com or 630-552-7211.

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