She was born in Red Lodge, Mont. on June 7, 1933 to Alex and Irma Cobetto. She attended school in Red Lodge graduating with the last class of Carbon County Coyotes in 1951. She received her nursing degree at Eastern Montana College and took her nurses training at the Deaconess Hospital in Billings, where she worked as an orthopedic nurse in the operating room.
On May 31, 1949 she married William (Bill) Kovach and the couple moved to Powell in 1956 where her husband taught school until his death in 1966. While Bill was teaching, Connie was a full time mom for her four children. After her husband’s death, she went back to work at the Powell Hospital where she provided comfort and excellent care to many people in the community.
The compassionate and calming manner in which she cared for her patients made them relax and realize, “Everything’s going to be OK, Connie is taking care of me.” Before her retirement in 1998, she was ER nursing coordinator at the hospital.
Connie loved to sing and dance and at the age of 3 started dancing with her dad, who was a terrific dancer and could have competed on the TV show “Dancing With the Stars.” She continued that passion for dancing all through her life.
Connie worked from a young age at her father’s City Bakery, which led to her love of cooking, especially baking and candy making. She won numerous prizes for her baked goods and candy, including Grand Champion at awards at the county fair in Powell.
Her family remembers her as an “original recycler” and the beautiful home she kept. She was a member of the Powell Fine Arts Club, enjoying the programs and camaraderie of friends. Connie enjoyed traveling in the United States as well as abroad and most recently took her entire family on a memorable Christmas cruise of the Mexican Riviera.
Connie was an original member of the Thursday Bridge club and played with the group for 40 years. She missed very few of those monthly sessions even after she was diagnosed with cancer. She prepared delicious lunches for the group, enjoyed their warm friendship, cheerful conversations and played a little bridge.
She is survived by her daughter Kathryn Deane of Santa Cruz, Calif.; sons Paul (Melissa) Kovach, Lakewood, Colo., Steven Kovach, Red Lodge, Mont., and Tom (Marilee) Kovach of Powell. She is also survived by her sister Peggy (Dale) Neff of Cody, 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild with another two on the way; and Mike Sterling, her partner of 34 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.
Memorials in her memory can be made to the Connie Kovach Nursing Scholarship at the Northwest College Foundation or charity of choice.
Thompson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and online condolences may be sent to the family at www.thompsonfuneral.net.