Connie Renae Crnkovic, 43, of Austin, lost her battle with cancer after four and a half years on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at her home.

Connie was born March 24, 1968, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, to Lyle and Cheryl (Nelson) Williams Jr. She grew up in Austin where she graduated from Austin High School. On May 2, 1992, she married Joel Crnkovic at Grace Lutheran Church in Austin. In 1993, the couple moved to their first house where on July 28, 1994, they had their first child, Landon. On Oct. 30, 1997, they had their second child, Leslie.

Connie was a member of Crane Chapel and inspired many people who where blessed enough to know her.

She loved countless things. Her favorite TV shows include, Project Runway, Ghost Adventures, Aaron, and Little House on the Prairie. She even named her firstborn after Michael Landon. Connie loved watching movies; her favorites were The Notebook, Coal Miner’s Daughter, Where the Heart Is, Christmas Vacation and the Color Purple. She also loved shopping for clothes and jewelry, hosting parties, talking and storytelling, taking funny pictures, road trips, Christmas, her green chair, rainbows, sunsets, looking for shapes in the clouds, thunderstorms and constantly helping others out.

Survivors include her husband, Joel Crnkovic, and children, Landon and Leslie; parents, Lyle and Cheryl Williams Jr.; brother, Neal Williams (Gretchen Wagner); sister, Christine (Barry) Fett; brothers-in-law, Jon (Kristin) Crnkovic, Jimmy Crnkovic; mother-in-law, Judy Crnkovic; nieces and nephews, Troy (Brianna), Drew, Jade and Blake Williams, Raven, Josh, Isaiah and Payton Fett, Kyle Crnkovic, Kari Morrison, Jenna Crnkovic, Mariah, Javis and Kalie Williams; many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

She is preceded in death by her father-in-law, Joseph Crnkovic; and her grandparents.

A memorial service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011, at Crane Community Chapel with Pastor Dale Christensen officiating. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Crane Chapel.

Connie’s favorite quote from Little House is: “Remember me in laughter and in happiness, because that is how I will remember you all, for if you remember me in tears, then don’t remember me at all.”