Constance E. Hand, 80

Constance Elizabeth was born to Walter (Shorty) and Elizabeth (Hudnall) Weber on Valentine on April 29, 1941.  Connie had an older sibling, Bonnie (Weber) Guest.

Connie began her education at Plainview School in Kilgore, and graduated from Kilgore High School in 1958.  She then went on to graduate from cosmetology school in Alliance. For some years she worked at Ann Hermann's beauty shop in Cody before starting her own beauty shop, Conn's Salon, in Kilgore.

On August 31, 1964 Connie married Buster Hand and began a lifelong ranching business with Buster in Kilgore.  They raised Red Angus cattle, hogs and horses.  Connie was an accomplished horsewoman and actively worked the ranch.  She had a tremendous love for all the animals in the environment.

Tough, smart, honest, with the proverbial heart of gold, the ranch was only one of Connie's activities. She waited on tables in Valentine and bartended at the American Legion Post #319 in Cody.  From 1992 to her retirement in 2015 Connie served as United States Postal Service postmaster at several locations, including Crookston.

Connie served for several years on the Kilgore village board, serving as chairperson.  She was a parishioner at the Kilgore Methodist Church.   As busy as she was, there was always time to enjoy the company of family and friends.

Those who preceded her in death were her parents, Walter and Elizabeth Weber, her sister Bonnie Guest and her brother-in-law Don Guest.

She leaves to mourn her passing her husband, Buster, children Brad (Deb) Hand and Walt Hand (Jean Sexton). Grandchildren Aiden, Travis and Traven Hand and Taylor (Hand) Harms; also great grandchildren.  Her niece Ginger Hand, great nephew Dusty Hand, and honorary daughter, Mary (Orin) Van Winkle and honorary grandchildren, Megan (Van Winkle) Failor, husband Josh, and Nathan Van Winkle, wife Anne, and grandchildren.

Pallbearers are Dale Nielsen, Russ Milton, Gayle Tinant, Dave Arnold, Tim Hippen and Dale Bowlin.

Services were held Monday, January 3, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Valentine Methodist Church. Burial followed at Kilgore Cemetery.  Connie passed away on Dec. 28, 2021 at the Cherry County Hospital in Valentine.  Visitation will be on Sunday, Jan. 2nd at 7:00 PM at Sandoz Chapel of the Pines.  Sandoz Chapel of the Pines was in charge of service arrangements.