Michael Mcconnell

Michael Ray McConnell, 57, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, November 29, 2016, at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

He was born February 27, 1959, the son of Milo and Darlene (Nelson) McConnell in Des Moines, Iowa. Mike was raised in rural Atlantic and has lived his entire life in rural Atlantic. Mike attended school in Atlantic and graduated from Atlantic High School in 1977. He also attended Iowa Western Community College and obtained his Associates Degree in Farm Management. On November 13, 1986, Mike was united in marriage to Mary Ann Murphy at Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic.

Mike started working as a farm hand for Dale Pauley when he was 12 and continued there until Dale's retirement. For a short time following high school he worked for Walnut Grove. Once he obtained his college degree in farming, he began farming and continued to do so. For the past 20 years plus, he also worked for Steve Nelson Construction of Exira, Iowa. Mike was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic.

Working and farming were in Mike's blood and he thoroughly enjoyed it, especially operating John Deere tractors. More than anything, he loved his children and grandchildren, spending time with them, and taking them for rides on his tractor and four wheeler.

Preceding Mike in death were his father, Milo McConnell; his mother-in-law, Mary Agnes Murphy; his sister, Carla Jean McConnell; and his grandparents.

Mike is survived by his wife, Mary McConnell of Atlantic, IA; his daughters, Janet Juhl of Jamesport, MO, Stephanie Juhl of Enid, OK, Sandra Juhl of Jamesport, MO, Michelle (Eric) Kardell of Wiota, IA, and Samantha McConnell of Atlantic, IA; his grandchildren, Anna and Milo Juhl, Alicia Juhl, Lynsie, Hunter and Isabelle Kardell; his mother, Darlene McConnell of Atlantic, IA; father-in-law, Donald Murphy, Sr. of Jamesport, MO; his siblings, Joni (Charles) Hartman of Belton, MO, Dana (Lori) McConnell of Atlantic, IA, and Julie (Darren) Hall of Belton, MO; siblings-in-law, Donald (Lori) Murphy Jr. of Atlantic, IA, Terry Murphy of Norman, OK and William Murphy of St. Joseph, MO; nieces; nephews; other relatives and many friends.

The family strongly requests memorials, in lieu of flowers, to the family to be used per Mike's wishes at a later date.

Visitation with family will be from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Friday, December 2, 2016, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, December 3, 2016, at Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic, Iowa, with burial in the Atlantic Cemetery.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.