Constance “Connie” Alexander, age 81, of rural New Sharon, Iowa, passed away at her home on Monday, January 26, 2026, surrounded by her family. Connie was born in Des Moines, Iowa, the daughter of Rev. Gerald C. and Emma Nan (Crane) LaMotte Jr. She attended several different schools, and her family followed her father’s preaching career until ultimately graduating from the Oskaloosa High School. She then furthered her education at William Penn University for a year.
On June 30, 1961, she was united in marriage to Gary Alexander at the Central United Methodist Church in Oskaloosa. Connie worked as a nurse’s aide before her marriage to Gary, then she turned her full attention to raising her children, taking care of her home and helping around with the farm work. Connie’s real joy in life was spending time with her family. She liked to work in the vegetable and flower gardens, watch NASCAR or a good basketball game, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes. She also enjoyed spending her time watching the birds at the feeder and mowing her yard.
Connie is survived by her husband, Gary Alexander of New Sharon; her children, Lee Alexander of Oskaloosa, Charlie (Deb) Alexander of Cedar and Melissa (Nick) Johnson of Dallas Center; her grandchildren, Lacey (Ben) Taylor, Logan (Whitley) Alexander, Tarah ( Marcus) Giltner, Tasha (Jevin) Jensen, Torie Alexander, Thane Alexander, Alexander (Kenzie) Johnson and Rebekah (Tyler) Breneman; her great grandchildren, Ira, Lottie, Luka and Hattie Taylor, Emerson, Avery, Paxlynn, Riley and Jackson Alexander, Bayla, Olivia, Klay and Kliff Giltner, Brexley, Kolter and Walker Jensen and Xander Johnson.
She is preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Renae Alexander; a grandson, Timothy Alexander, a great-grandson, Thomas Taylor, her siblings, Jerry LaMotte, Paul LaMotte, Robert LaMotte, Beverly LaMotte and another in-infancy. She is also preceded by a daughter-in-law, Georgette Alexander.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa, Iowa, with pastor John DeBoef officiating. As was her wish, cremation will follow services. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026, at the Bates Funeral Chapel beginning at 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. with Connie’s family present to greet relatives and friends. Memorials may be made to the family.
