Dan Connors

Visitation: will begin on Wednesday with the family receiving friends from 4:00-6:00p.m.

Vigil Service: Wednesday, September 7, 2005 at 6:00 pm at the chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home

Funeral Mass: Thursday, September 8, 2005 at 11:00 am at the Sacred Heart Church

Rite of committal: will follow in the family lot of the Calvary Cemetery with full military honors provided by VFW Post #1579

Dan Connors, age 74, of Miles City died in Miles City, Montana on September 3, 2005.

He was born January 8, 1931, in Butte, Montana, to Irish immigrant parents John and Margaret (Holland) Connors.Dan graduated from Butte Central High School in 1948. Dan then attended and graduated from Western Montana College in Dillon. Dan was named to Western'sAthletic Hall of Fame in 2003. Dan met the love of his life, Suzanne O'Dell, while a student at Western. Dan and Sue were married May 16, 1953 in Dillon.

Dan was inducted into the United States Army in 1953, and served in an Army Intelligence program. Dan and Sue lived in Georgia and Maryland during Dan's Army service years. Their oldest of seven children, Kathy was born in Georgia. Dan and Sue chose a life in Montana over a career in Intelligence and moved back to Montana in 1956.Danbegan his teaching and coaching career in Victor Montana where second daughter Diane was born. The family then moved to Philipsburg where daughter Margaret "Peg" and son John were born. In 1960, the growing Connors family moved to Miles City where Dan became head football and basketball coach at little known Sacred Heart High School. Dan and Sue had three more children in the 1960's - sons Dan and Kevin and daughter Chris. Dan's 15 year stintat Sacred Heart was legendary. His many teams won various district, divisional and state championships, but more importantly heselflesslymentoredand developed hundreds of young people.In 1974 Dan continued his teaching and coaching career at Miles Community College. Dan spent 18 years at MCC where he continued to use his unique gifts in contributing toyoung people's development and the greater community of Miles City. He retired from MCC in 1993. Dan was named to Montana Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1984.

Dan, his seven children and the Eastern Montana community lost their beloved Sue Connors to cancer in October 1995. After Sue's death Dan continued to be involved in the community when he ran for Custer County Commissioner. Dan served his commissioner role consistent with everything else in life - an unyielding positive outlook, hone'sty and integrity, thoughtful intelligence and most notably humor. In Dan's last years he enjoyed the legacy of faith, family and friends his life had created throughout Montana. An Irish Blessing is appropriate to describe Daniel Joseph Connors - "May your home always be too small to hold all your friends".

Dan was preceded in death by his parents John and Margaret Connors, his wife Sue, his brothers John and Bill Connors, his sister Margaret and his granddaughter Kelly Manning.Dan is survived by sisters Aggie (John) Frankino of Helena, MT, Kay (Bill) Brennick of Spokane, WA, Eileen OConnor of Butte, MT; sister-in-laws Berta (Dave) Clowes of Glasgow, MT, Diane Davis of Denman Island, B.C.; his children Kathy (Dale) Rumph of Billings, Diane (Rik) Rewerts of Libby, Peg (Jack) Manning of Great Falls, John (Kathy) Connors of Medina, Washington, Dan (Kerri) Connors of Salt Lake City, Utah, Chris (Carl) Frankel of Kirkland, Washington, and Kevin Connors of Red Lodge, Montana, 23 grandchildren and one great grandchild, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Memorials in Dan's name may be made to the Connors Scholarship Fund administered by the Custer County Scholarship Foundation, P.O Box 610, Miles City, MT 59301.

Visitation will begin at 8:00am on Wednesday, September 7, 2005 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City Family will receive friends from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Vigil Service will be held Wednesday September 7, 2005 at 6:00pm at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, September 8, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City. Right of Christian Burial will follow in the Calvary Cemetery in Miles City with full military honors provided by VFW Post #1579.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.