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Tom Conn --- August 12, 1945 — January 27, 2025
Thomas W. Conn, 79, died Monday, January 27, 2025.
Tom was born in Omaha on August 12, 1945. He was the third son of Mary Jane (nee Carey) and Donald Conn. There was a large gap between him and his four younger siblings. This might be why Tom loved babies so much. He always got a twinkle in his eye if he was ever around a little kid.
Tom attended Sacred Heart Grade School and was one of the favorites of the nuns. He started working at the age of 14 at a few grocery stores and was even a car hop at a drive-in. He saved his money so he could purchase his first hi-fi. He loved listening to all types of music.
After Tom finished at Sacred Heart Grade School, the family moved to the Cathedral neighborhood and attended 4 years of Cathedral High. He attended many dances and continued working until he joined the Air Force. He followed in his brother Terry’s footsteps to become a medic. After training, he was stationed to Minot, North Dakota. Next, he was sent for 2 years to southern Spain where he ran the clinic on the base.
Tom married Sharon Cosentino, of Omaha, and their son, Ryan, was born in 1979 and son, Corey was born in 1983. They enjoyed spending time together as a family, especially outdoor activities. After military service, he started working at Union Pacific. He started in the yards and continued studying and getting certifications. He worked his way up and ended his 37 year career in the Marketing and Accounting Departments. He had a passion for photography and took photography classes at UNO.
In 1989 Tom met Carlotta (Carly) Kugel at a dance. During a ladies choice song, Carly asked Tom to dance and they began dating the next week. They continued to dance over the years and Tom was called the Dance Hall King. They were united in marriage on November 30, 1990 in Las Vegas at Wee Kirk of the Heather Chapel. Tom enjoyed helping Carly in her career as a librarian, cooking supper when she was busy and helping put up bulletin boards at the school. They both enjoyed spending time with coworkers. After retirement, Tom and Carly enjoyed traveling. They went on numerous driving trips, went on a cruise and even toured Europe. Their favorite activity was spending time with family and being with their grandkids and great-grandkids.
Tom is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Carly. Children, Ryan (Jenny Ellis) Conn and Corey (Kaili Eisenauer) Conn; stepchildren, Mike (Rachele) Kugel, Joe Kugel, and Tom Kugel; grandchildren, Adrienne (Ryan) Luedders, Anthony (Kaleigh) Kugel, Christina Kugel, Lt. Morgan Kugel, Aiden Conn, Dominic Bougher; great-grandchildren, Sawyer Luedders and Oliver Luedders; siblings, Denny (Donna) Conn, Barry (Marilyn) Conn, Mary Kay (Gary) Thimgan, and Peggy Houston; many nieces, nephews and good friends. Tom is preceded in death by his parents; his son, Michael Conn; his brother, Terry Conn. Preceded in death by his parents; son, Michael Conn; brother, Terry Conn.
Memorial Mass Friday, February 7, 2025, at 10:30am, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church with private interment of the urn in Omaha National Cemetery.
Visitation with the family begins Thursday, February 6, 2025, after 5:00pm at the Pacific Street Chapel with a wake service at 7:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Make a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in memory of Thomas W. Conn
Recent Submissions by Classmates
This photo turned up as a post on my facebook timeline from Trish Quinn. Help me Identify them. I recognize sheila fogarty and barb barbarossa, maybe carole mcandrews? Judy Carroll? The date on the photo states oct 1959. That makes it our freshman year at chs.
Berti & Bambino -- Prom Royalty Senior Year
RIP KATHY KIEFER WELSH
This just in from Jerry Fitzpatrick:
Kathleen Mary (Kiefer) Welsh
December 27, 1944 – February 28, 2024
Kathleen Mary Kiefer Welsh, of Omaha, Nebraska, peacefully passed away Tuesday February 28, 2024, surrounded by family. She was born to Donald Kiefer and Catherine Kiefer Harvey on December 27, 1944, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Did you know, Kathleen, nicknamed by her dad as “Cookie” grew up in Omaha, where her favorite thing as a kid was playing on the trapeze and rings on the backyard swing set. She graduated from Cathedral High School and attended Duchesne College for two years. While in high school, she was an original member of the Brandeis Teen Fashion Board, which later became her first real job.
On April 23, 1966, Kathleen married the love of her life, Michael Welsh at St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha, Nebraska. Fun fact: when mom was asked about her first car, she was nineteen, and Mike bought her a 1956 Oldsmobile, two-tone, cream and purple for $25.00.
In June of 1971, Mike and Kathie moved to a farm in Springfield, Nebraska, where they raised their 4 children, Michelle (Joe, Annie, Jack), Rosie (Mark, Emily, Renee & Joe S.), Kevin (Heather, Mackenzie, Cassidy, Landon), and Tom (Trista, Jenny, Aidan, Elizabeth). While living in Springfield, Kathie was actively involved in 4-H, school activities, and the Misfits Extension Club.
Kathie loved her children and grandchildren dearly, and always supported them in all of their activities. Her passions included cooking, gardening, sewing, book club, doll club, collecting dolls, and building her Loved-to-Pieces Doll Repair business. Kathie’s favorite holiday tradition was celebrating Christmas with her family every year. She spent the days leading up to the holiday, shopping (all year long), cooking, decorating, and wrapping gifts for every single person.
When we asked mom what were the five things she was most grateful for she said, good parents, good childhood and schools, having the best husband, good friends, and kids that are wonderful adults.
Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents, Don Kiefer and Catherine Kiefer Harvey. She is survived by her husband, Michael Welsh; children and their spouses; grandchildren; and her siblings, Rosy, Tom, and Bill.
VISITATION: Monday, March 4, 2024, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m., West Center Chapel.
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Tuesday, March 5th, 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Springfield, NE, with a luncheon to follow.
Private Family Interment at later date.
October 31, 2022
RIP Mike O'Doherty
January 5, 1945 - October 28, 2022
Mike is survived by his wife, Nancy; children, Shannon (Matt) Brown, Jerry (Jennifer) O’Doherty, and Colleen O’Doherty; daughter-in-law, Laura O’Doherty; grandchildren: Kinsey Peterson, Michael Brown, Connor, Grant, Will, Delaney, Gabe, and Rhiannon O’Doherty; siblings: Patrick (Julie), Sue, Shaun, and Jerry O’Doherty.
Visitation Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 from 5:00-7:00PM, followed by a Wake Service at 7:00PM at John A. Gentleman Mortuaries 72nd Street Chapel.
October 28, 2021
Got old photos to share?
This just in from Ms. Wood who is active on the Cathedral Facebook page:
"Wow, what an amazing website. This is Annette Wood, CGS class of 1967 and CHS Class of 1971. I am trying to build an archive of First Communion and 8th grade classes. Do you happen to know anyone with these pictures for your class?"
Anyone? Submit them here or on the CHS Facebook Group page and I'll pass them along.
January 24, 2021
This from Fitz:
It is with a very heavy heart that I pass along Janet's Boe's note that Jim has passed away. Please keep Janet and her family in your Prayers.
I am sure Jim's journey to heaven will be quick.
Jerry Fitz
---------- Original Message ----------
From: Janet Boe
Date: January 24, 2021 at 1:12 PM
Subject: Re: Jim
Jim is at rest. He passed away yesterday, January 23rd. I’m grateful that I was able to be with him.
Thank you for your prayers.
Janet Boe
This from Larry Guerra:
"Sending you a copy from Omaha WH obits. Pray for Geri."
Larry
September 6, 1945 - November 2, 2020
Geri entered heaven on November 2, 2020, surrounded by her children.
She is survived by her children and their spouses: Kris and Lynn Ewoldt, Kim and Joe Craig, Kurtis and Sara, and Kyle and Melissa; 10 grandchildren: Lauren (Danny), Morgan, Madison, Abbey, Joey, Presley, Jackson, McCartney, Khloe and Kolette; and the new light of her life, her great grandson, Brooks; her brother, David (Carol) Schula; her niece and nephews.
This from Jerry Fitzpatrick:
Connie Mayer Tostenson passed away September 20th
Jane Heese Sutton 1944 - 2020
Just heard of the death of Jane Heese Sutton. Her brother, Michael, posted confirmation on the Cathedral High website saying she died July 19, 2020 in Queen City, AZ. He said she died in her sleep from complications of Alzheimer's. RIP Jane.
Class of 1963 Meets for 55th Reunion
The rowdy bunch that Father Furlong once proclaimed was the “worst graduating class ever,” the Cathedral High School Class of 1963, gathered for a weekend reunion June 22-24, 2018. Celebrating 55-years since graduating, more than four-dozen classmates and significant others met for pizza and pop Friday night at the Monsignor Graham Center, located in what once was the CHS library. Saturday evening included a catered dinner and Sunday featured Mass at the Cathedral followed by a continental breakfast provided by the Alumni Office. Afterwards, everyone got a tour of the Cathedral, including areas not normally open to the general public, as well as a tour of the old and new sections of the Grade School. Frequent howls of laughter were the hallmark of the 55th reunion. Class members recalled one of the last days of senior year when “someone” set off an M-80 in the boys’ bathroom, blowing a porcelain device into pieces. There was discussion of the lunchroom food fights that staff blamed on one particular classmate who was banned from the cafeteria for most of junior and senior year. He was finally allowed to return to the cafeteria the week before graduation only to be tossed out immediately when his arrival was greeted by a near-riot. Others could be heard recounting the post-football game shenanigans that involved things like “lifting Volkswagens,” t-p-ing, visiting “haunted houses,” and gatherings at Kings on 72nd for burgers. Classmates also honored the two-dozen people who are among the dearly departed, including Army Medic John Murphy who was killed in Vietnam. His name is etched on the wall in Washington, DC and in our hearts forever.
RIP Paul Jedlicka
This from Jerry Fitzpatrick:
Paul Jedlicka has died.
He passed away September 24, 2017 just six days after his 73rd birthday.
Paul was born September 18, 1944.
Internment was at Omaha National Cemetery.
Just learned of the passing of Rosemary "Billi" Whelton on July 21, 2016.
