Constance "Connie" McCarty

Published March 30, 2018 at 6:40 PM

Constance "Connie" McCarty, Grafton, ND passed away peacefully at her home on March 27, 2018 after a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease).

A private family burial will be held later in the spring at her hometown cemetery in Gladstone, ND. A memorial mass will be held at St. John's Catholic Church of Grafton on Thursday, April 5th, at 9:00 a.m.

Constance Ann Bleth was born in Richardton, ND to John and Marian (Martin) Bleth on May 5, 1950. She was the first born of seven siblings raised in Gladstone. She graduated from Gladstone High School and attended Dickinson State University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. After graduating college, she taught in Hettinger, ND. She married Thomas "Tom" McCarty on July 19, 1974 in Gladstone. The couple made their home in Grafton, where they raised their two daughters, and worked as dedicated educators in the Grafton Public School system until retirement.

Throughout her life, Connie impacted the lives of so many with her kind soul and warm spirit. She cherished making a difference while teaching, and, in her free time, enjoyed spending time with her family, visiting with friends, gardening, biking, fishing, and reading. In every interaction she had, her compassion, generosity, and easy going nature were evident. She had a special way of making everyone around her feel valued and at ease. Her personality was contagious and her strength admirable. Connie lived a life of selflessness and leaves a significant void in the hearts of many. She will be forever loved and forever missed.

Those left to cherish Connie's memory include: husband, Tom, Grafton, ND; children, Megan (Jeff) Schild of Bismarck, ND and Mallory (Nick) Bendickson of Garrison, ND; Granddaughter, Gracyn Schild; sisters, Lynn Leiss, Minneapolis, MN and Beth (David) Rasmusson, Aberdeen, SD; brothers, Gary (Susie) Bleth, Dickinson, ND, Joel Bleth (Nancy Samson), Dickinson, ND, and Craig (Lisa) Bleth, Bismarck, ND; sister-in-laws, Shirley (Norm) Stark, Bluffton, SC and Sherry (Rob) Clark, Bluffton, SC; brother-in-law, Jerry (Linda) McCarty, Hackinsack, MN; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Connie is preceded in death by her parents, John and Marian (Martin) Bleth formerly of Gladstone, ND; father and mother-in-law, Thomas and Katherine McCarty formerly of Carrington, ND; brother, Alan Bleth; brother-in-law, Alan Leiss; grandparents; and numerous aunts and uncles.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the ALS Association or a local charity of your choosing.