Constance “Connie” Marie Ward, 72, of Fremont, died Wednesday, November 19, 2014, at her home in Fremont. She was born May 14, 1942, in San Diego, California, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Archie McBeth. Connie was raised and educated in the Ottumwa area. She graduated from Ottumwa High School with the class of 1960. She furthered her education earning her degree in nursing from Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines in 1963. On October 20, 1963, she was united in marriage to Bill Ward at the West Minster Presbyterian Church in Ottumwa. Early on she worked as a nurse at Mahaska Hospital in Oskaloosa. She then took five years off to be home with her children. In 1970, she returned to nursing at the Mahaska Hospital in Osklaoosa, she retired from there in 1999. In retirement she worked as a nurse for Fremont Community School and was the manager of Fremont Leisure Living. She was a member of the Fremont United Methodist Church. She was a member and past matron of the Eastern Star Mahaska Chapter179 in Fremont.

Her family includes her husband of over 51 years a son, daughter five grandchildren, four sisters and their husbands, many nieces and nephews.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Patricia McBeth and a brother, Tom McBeth. A life celebration ceremony will be held Saturday, November 22, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. in the Fremont Funeral Chapel with Reverends Jim Dotson and Ron Bupp officiating. As was Connie’s wish, her body has been cremated.

The Fremont Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Friday morning after 10:00 in the Fremont Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral Chapel from 5 to 8 Friday evening to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to Mahaska Hospice.