December 22, 1925 -  May 12, 2004

Memorial Mass for Emmet Paul Connealy, 78, of Decatur was held May 17 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Decatur.  He died May 12, 2004 at Pender Community Hospital.

He was born December 22, 1925 in rural Decatur to John Bernard and Mamie Eleanor Connealy.  He attended rural  Elm Creek School and graduated from Decatur High School in 1943.

June 28, 1949, he married Margaret Ann Sudbeck in Hartington.  The couple farmed near Decatur.  He lived his entire life on the farm, retiring in 1988.

Memberships included Holy Family Catholic Church, where he served on the church council, and Nebraska State Farm Service Agency for eight years, four of which he served as chairman.  He was a board member of Elm Creek School and served on the Burt County ASCS committee for 18 years.  He was appointed to the Burt County Bridge Commission in 1991 and served 13 years.  He also was the first individual to be awarded the Nebraska "Democrat of the Year" in 2000.

Connealy was committed to his family and loved a good game of cards and zesty political conversations.

He was Preceded in death by his parents and four brothers.

Survivors include his wife of Decatur; seven children and spouses: Jeanine and Jay Reischl of Pittsburgh; Jane Connealy of Omaha, Dave and L .J. Connealy of Decatur; Deborah Penny of Tekamah, Mary Lynn Connealy of Omaha; Peggy Connealy of Wayne, and Eddie and Ann Connealy of Pilger; sister and brother-in-law, Mary Ellen and David Tobin of Tekamah; 18 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; nephews and nieces.

The parish rosary prayer service was held May 16 at Holy Family Catholic Church.

Readers at the Mass service were daughters Jeanine and Jane.  Special music was provided by Dorothy Connealy with David Dickinson as song leader.

Honorary pallbearers were grandchildren: Jennifer Ramsey, Jeremy Aspen, Amy Setnicka, Molly Dickinson, Katie Aspen, Elizabeth Aspen Huber, Marshall Connealy, Fawn Barger, Colin Huerter, Connealy Huerter, April Connealy, Jonnie Connealy, Allison Huerter, Colt Penny, Solomon Connealy, Dylan Huerter, Kendra Connealy and Hannah Connealy.

Burial was at Hillcrest Cemetery, Decatur.