Constance “Connie” Marie Bloom (nee Rawnick) passed away May 15 at the age of 97 in Rhinelander, at her home and surrounded by those who love her.

Connie was born on Nov. 23, 1924, in Iron River, Michigan to Frank John Rawnick and Hedwig “Edna” Rawnick (nee Znorski) in Iron River. She was raised in Iron River and graduated from Iron River High School in 1942.

Connie then attended Saint Luke’s School of Nursing where she received her diploma. She completed her nurses training at Galesburg Army Hospital where she met Joseph Bloom, the man she would marry, while caring for him following his war injuries sustained in the European theatre of World War II.

She married Joe and moved to Rhinelander in 1946 where the two would raise their three children. Connie worked at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Rhinelander until 1974 before leaving to teach nursing at Nicolet College, where she would go on to start the college’s Nursing Assistant program. She retired from teaching in 1986. She also was the “first lady” of Rhinelander from 1982 to 1994, while Joe served as mayor.

In 1976, Connie and Joe purchased a cabin at the inland lake, next door to where her father Frank had built the Rawnick family cabin. Connie spent her summers at the lake, often accompanied by her children and grandchildren, up until her death. She was an avid outdoorswoman who enjoyed cross-country skiing, hiking, berry-picking, gardening and bird-watching. She served as the original Loon Ranger of the lake for many years and was instrumental in having it designated as a “no-wake” lake to protect the loons that still summer there. She was skilled at quilting, embroidery, dress-making, knitting, cooking and baking. She boasted a strong green thumb and loved to garden and was also an avid world-traveler, having visited numerous global destinations including Israel, Egypt, Turkey and Morocco.

Connie is survived by her brother, Paul; children, Rosemary, Tom and Jim; her dear friend, Ann Tegan; grandchildren, Allison, Andrew, Martha, Erin, Joseph, Geoffrey, Nathan, Zachary and Mitchell; great-grandchildren, Molly, Robert, Alexander and Wesley; sister-in-law, Eve; and her nieces and nephews. She is also survived by close friends June and Betty. She will be loved and missed by many in her lake community.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph; parents, Frank and Edna; brother, Frank and infant brother, David; and her beloved canine companions, Petey, Lucy, Muffin and Milo.

Connie’s favorite color was yellow because it was the color of sunshine. She was a lover of furry, feathered, scaled and even eight-legged friends. She will be remembered for her giving heart and the impact she had on all who knew her.

A memorial service will be held for close friends and family on or around Aug. 5 in Watersmeet, Michigan at the Immaculate Conception Church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hildebrand Funeral Home & Cremation Specialists, 24 E. Davenport Street, Rhinelander, Wisconsin 54501, 715-365-4343. Everyone is invited to sign the guestbook or leave an online condolence at http://www.hildebrandrussfh.com