Connie Follensbee
April 29, 1960 - June 20, 2024
Obituary
Connie Marie Follensbee of Billings, Montana, passed away on June 20, 2024, at her retirement cabin in Boyd, Montana at the age of 64. The oldest of her two siblings, Connie was born April 29, 1960, in Whitefish to James and Kretie Follensbee. Connie had wonderful stories of her childhood and playing with her siblings, Charley and Debbie. Connie was always known as a competitive athlete through her life, from holding track records for years at Shepherd High School to multi-mile horse endurance racing throughout the NW United States. Connie's passions included horses and the outdoors, riding, fishing, hiking, hunting, golfing, gardening, traveling and relaxing with her dog, Brady, by her side. Connie's love for animals was always present, and animals seemed to gravitate to her knowing this.
Connie started her career in the utility industry working for Montana Power for over 18 years before transferring to her love of utility locating. She managed and taught many other locators throughout her career before retiring from Summit Utility in 2022. Connie loved her daughters, Rachel and Sara, to the moon, and was very proud of their accomplishments in life. She may have been even more proud of her grandchildren Eli, Ethan, Evan and her sidekick, Maya.
Connie spent the last decade traveling extensively with her partner, Jennifer. They visited Florida's Sanibel Island, the Everglades, Key West, Roatan (Honduras) the Dominican Republic, and many, many places in Mexico where Connie got to swim with whale sharks and play with baby sea lions. Together, they had many grand adventures.
Connie is preceded in death by her parents Jim and Kretie Follensbee, nephew Casey Follensbee, and two sibling babies who were stillborn before her. Survivors include siblings Charley Follensbee (Kari) of Eureka and Debbie O'Rourke (Rafael) of Boise, daughters Sara Ostrum (Masin) and Rachel Richardson (Erik) of Billings, grandchildren Eli Rouane, Evan Rouane, Ethan Richardson, and Maya Lopez, along with her nieces and nephew. She also leaves behind her friend and partner, Jennifer Smith, and her beloved dog, Brady. Connie will be dearly missed but never forgotten. Her kindness will always be carried with us through life.