Connie was born on January 6, 1919, the 11th born child to Ben and Charlotte Summers on the family farm near Bolivar, Missouri, located in the southwestern part of the state. There were 12 children, 10 girls and 2 boys. The Summers name did not continue as Connie's brothers had no children.

When Connie was 20 years old, she was sent by her parents to Plattsmouth, NE. to help an older sister with her two young sons when the sister was expecting a third child. After the sister's third child was born, Connie began working at a bakery and café in Plattsmouth. It is there Marvin Lillie laid eyes on her. He told a friend he was going to marry her. Marv and Connie were married in the Methodist Church in Plattsmouth on September 10, 1944.

They both worked at the Glenn L. Martin Bomber plant at Ft. Crook (Bellevue) during WWII. Connie worked in the armaments division where she had to disassemble guns, clean the parts and put them back together. Then because she was tiny, she also installed them on the planes. After the war ended, she worked sewing robes of red and blue satin for the injured soldiers coming home.

Marvin got the dealership for the Sinclair station and tank wagon service in Wahoo in the fall of 1947. Connie and infant daughter Rita came just before Christmas as it was difficult to find housing after the war.

They joined First United Methodist church on Palm Sunday in 1948 and attended weekly Sunday services throughout their lives. She was a 75-year member of the First United Methodist Church. Connie was also an active member of the Martha Circle, an afternoon group which later was named the Women's Society of Christian Service. She later became a member of the Evening Esther's and finally the United Methodist Women. She was disappointed to see UMW disband. Connie also helped with Sunday school and Bible School for many years. When asked to bring food and or work at various church functions, she was a willing helper.

Connie and Marv were instrumental in helping organize the Wahoo Whirlers Square Dance Club. Ken Schoen, another Methodist; was an instructor and caller. Many Methodists were in the club.

Connie did not work outside the home as the family business required her to answer the phone and relay important messages to Marv. But, in later years Lucille Herrick asked her to work at her gift shop (now Found and Flora) during the busy holiday seasons. Also, Delbert Manske, the auctioneer, asked her to work at the Stockyard Café (now The Branding Iron) which she enjoyed.

Connie also sold Daffodils to the downtown businesses, a fund raiser for the American Cancer Society.

She was a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader of troop 175 and was a member of the Wahoo Mothers' Study Club. She was active in the Order of the Eastern Star and the Wahoo Woman's club. Connie was also active in Extension clubs called the P Mer's and Live and Learn. A highlight is when she won the top prize of 10,000 trading Stamps at the best of All Days Cooking School event held at the Luther College.

Connie was a member of the North Ward PTA and on the committee that helped sponsor the initial Wahoo Library Summer Reading program.

She enjoyed being a member of the Saunders County Genealogical Seekers and Saunders County Historical Society as she believes in preserving family history and historical artifacts. She was a volunteer is the Saunders County Historical Society for 30 years. She kept abreast of their happenings and programs through their newsletters.

Finally, Connie's favorite hobby was quilting. Her mother taught all of her girls how to make a quilt. Connie enjoyed it the most making two quilts before leaving home. She continued to make dozens of quilts. She was a member of the Krazy Quilters of which she became an honorary member. They hosted her 100th birthday party.

Connie also enjoyed planting a large vegetable garden, canning its produce and harvesting grapes and raspberries for jams.

She collected antique China dolls, Lenox china cardinal birds, cut and pressed glass, china dishes, vintage 1930's Plymouth cars, and historical books and novels.

Connie died on December 18, 2023.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin.

Connie is survived by daughter, Rita and husband Loren Lindahl, son, Doug Lillie and wife Julie. Five grandchildren, Todd Lindahl, Kelcie Keeling and husband Shane, Tiffany Hale and husband Jeff, Alicia Arnold and husband Nick, and Kenzie Sattler and husband Tony and eight great grandchildren, Jordan Lindahl, Courtlyn and Creighton Keeling, Chloe Hale and Serenity Hale, Shawn Arnold, and Jackson, Isaac, and Leighton Sattler.