Connie S. Taylor

Constance “Connie” Taylor, 86, of Cedar Falls, passed away of natural causes on Friday, July 3, 2026, at MercyOne Medical Center (Sartori) in Cedar Falls. Connie was born in Waterloo on May 30, 1940, the daughter of Merle and Helena (Neuhalfen) Heath. She graduated from Cedar Falls High School with the Class of 1958. On April 22, 1958, she married Clinton Smith in Olmsted, MN, and had four children, Lee, Terry, Wanda and Lisa. They later divorced.

On October 9, 1971, Connie married the love of her life, James “Jim” Russell Taylor, in Fillmore, Minnesota. Through this marriage, Connie welcomed three more children into her family: Rusty, Susan, and Cindy. Together, Connie and Jim built their home in Cedar Falls, just down the road from the Heath Family Farm. In 1980, they were blessed with another child, Michael.

Connie dedicated many years of service to the Cedar Falls Community School District as a cook. She prepared meals at Cedar Falls High School before delivering them to schools throughout the district and serving lunch at her final stop, North Cedar Elementary School. She retired in 2002 after a rewarding career serving generations of students.

Connie found joy in the outdoors and cherished time spent on the water. She loved fishing, camping, and boating, and was well known for her delicious cooking, baking, and homemade wine. Connie will be remembered for her generous heart, selfless nature, and unwavering devotion to those she loved. She never met a stranger—everyone who crossed her path was welcomed like family, and her home was always a gathering place filled with warmth, laughter, and good food.

Above all else, Connie's greatest joy was her family. She treasured every moment spent with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, creating memories and traditions that will live on for generations.

Connie is lovingly survived by her husband of 54 years, Jim Taylor; her children, Lee (Nicolle) Smith of Cedar Falls, Terry Smith of Cedar Falls, Wanda (Wayne) Hesse of Waterloo, Lisa (Dale) Schwab of Shell Rock, Russell “Rusty” (Gina) Taylor of Riceville, Susan (Rick) Brown of Austin, Minnesota, Cindy (Chris) Christensen of Riceville, and Michael (Jodi) Morse of Readlyn; 16 of grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; brother, Leo (Jean) Heath; and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Donald, Richard, Joseph, Kenneth, and James Heath; sisters, Bernadine Nielsen, Marlene Jeys, and Phyllis Lane; and two great-grandchildren, Taylor Bushbaum and June Jaschen.

Connie’s celebration of life will be held at The Fraternal Order of Eagles in Cedar Falls July 25th from 2pm to 6pm. Memorial contributions may be directed to her family for future designation.

Please visit www.dahlfuneralhome.com to share condolences.