Constance Mary “Connie” Doepke age 80, of Wayzata MN, passed away July 29, 2026. Preceded in death by her parents, Robert Warren and Dora Mary (Phillips) Kelley; sister, Laura Kittie (Kelley) Fisher; brother-in-law, Edward Earl Fisher; and first husband, Mark Edward Waters III. She was an amazing wife, mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother – and a friend to all who knew her.

Connie grew up in Haslett, Michigan and was the oldest of three sisters. She and her family would take annual camping vacations to Michigan’s upper peninsula, which developed in her a lifelong love of the outdoors – particularly Lake Superior. She was active in high school dramatics, played flute in the band, and was the drum majorette for the marching band. She graduated from Michigan State University in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in communication arts with a French minor. She also enjoyed modeling and participated in beauty contests (winning one in 1966!).

After graduation, she left for New York City to pursue her dream of working in the fashion industry. She lived and worked in the NYC fashion industry from 1968 through 1993, except for a three-year career move to Chicago in the early 80’s – rising to executive level positions with Sears, Avon Products, and New Hampton, Inc. She was a well-respected manager who was demanding, yet approachable, and treated everyone with dignity, respect, and collegiality.

She married her college sweetheart in 1970. He passed away suddenly in 1990 – not long after they adopted a baby girl, Rebecca. This left Connie as a single mother with a demanding full-time job. She navigated this challenge with dominion.

In the fall of 1993, after learning her employer was to be sold, Connie and Rebecca moved to the Twin Cities for Connie to take an executive position at Fingerhut, running the women’s apparel and jewelry divisions.

It did not take long for Connie to meet her second husband, Mark, who was a divorced father of a son, Matthew. The connection was initiated through Mark’s sister’s friendship with the wife of Connie’s previous husband’s best friend, who coincidentally lived just three houses apart in Edina. Connie and Mark were married and combined families in March 1995. She later left the corporate world to be home for the kids and guide them as best she could. Connie relished being a mother. We had great home cooked meals, lively discussions, family movie nights, camping vacations, trips to the cabin, and restaurant excursions where the kids got to try more exotic fare than home cooking. Connie was noted far and wide for her baked pies, which put all others to shame. She would offer Mark her insights into several decisions he was facing in his consulting business. She knew that truly loving someone involves both recognizing and appreciating the good in the person as well as being willing to rebuke any unbecoming qualities.

Connie soon developed a passion for education, leading her in 1997 to run for and become elected to the Wayzata School Board – serving with distinction from 1998-2005. Later, she was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives – serving the communities around Lake Minnetonka from 2009-2012. She worked very hard in these positions and was respected for bringing people together to find common ground, while standing firmly for what she believed. She knew that in politics, as well as in any aspect of life, it was neither fair nor productive to assume that others are operating from poor motives.

She was active volunteering for several community organizations.

Other things Connie loved were watching classic movies (she knew all the stars), listening to big band music, Frank Sinatra, walks, drives in the country, Hallmark movies, and Ben & Jerry’s butter pecan ice cream.

Connie was a lifelong Christian Scientist. She regularly studied the Bible and Christian Science literature and applied their concepts to daily life. She knew that we cannot be separated from God. Her husband is grateful for her spiritual focus because it pushed him in the right direction. Connie lovingly served both her NY church and her MN church as a Sunday school teacher and a Board member. One of her favorite thoughts when approaching an uncertain situation was “Let God go first.” There is also a quote from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, that illustrates a principle that Connie tried to follow in her Sunday school class, the School Board, and her family, namely – “Nothing unworthy of perpetuity should be transmitted to children.”

Words to describe Connie include intelligent, beautiful, loving, brilliant, inquisitive, kind, energetic, principled, solid, steady, confident, determined, and able.

Unfortunately, for the past eight years, Connie navigated Alzheimer’s, but she did it with grace and humor. Throughout this journey, she never lost her love of interacting with people. Her faith remained strong and consistent, as did her twinkling eyes and beautiful smile. She knows that her life is eternal.

For the past 5 years, Connie was a resident at Parks’ Place Memory Care, where she received outstanding care in every aspect of her life. Management and staff were consistently loving, compassionate, devoted, and were always looking for new ways to provide opportunities for Connie to experience joy throughout her progression. For much of the past year, Grace Hospice provided an additional level of loving care and comfort. Connie’s family is truly grateful for these two providers!

Connie is survived by her husband of 31 years, Mark Alan Doepke; daughter, Rebecca Mary Doepke; stepson, Matthew John Doepke; daughter-in-law Brooke Ellis Doepke; grandchildren, Wesley Harris Doepke and Miles Michael Doepke; sister, Roberta Louise “Bobbi” (Kelley) Kimble; brother-in-law, Phillip Allen Kimble; and many other relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on August 26, 2026, at Wayzata Community Church, 125 Wayzata Blvd., Wayzata, with opportunities to visit shortly before. A light lunch will be served after the service.

Memorials are preferred to: Parks’ Place Memory Care, 18040 Medina Rd., Plymouth, MN 55446; or to Grace Hospice, 1015 4th Ave. N., Ste. 206, Minneapolis, MN 55405; or donor’s choice.