Connie Maxine Griffin was born to Harland and Ila Maxine (Ploghoft) Rhoads on October 30, 1947, in Atlantic, IA, and passed on April 21, 2025, in Atlantic, at the age of 77. Connie was a lifelong resident of Cass County. She grew up in Lewis, attended school in both Lewis and Atlantic, and later moved to Atlantic.
Connie was a waitress, provided child care, and worked at ALCO in Atlantic for many years. She then made it her life’s work to help other victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, joining the staff of the Family Crisis Support Network in 1991. She personally provided assistance to hundreds of victims, first as Shelter Advocate, overseeing their emergency shelter, and later as Legal Advocate, helping victims get protection orders and attending court on their behalf. Connie was instrumental in expanding the agency beyond Cass County to provide services throughout Southwest Iowa. After 25 years of service, she retired in 2016, but she joined the agency’s Board of Directors in 2020.
Connie was a devoted and deeply loving family member who never missed a birthday or anniversary and took every opportunity to make sure the people she loved knew just how much they meant to her. She enjoyed traveling to visit loved ones and found great joy in cheering on family members at sporting events and other activities. She treasured family gatherings, enjoyed playing cards and trips to the casino, and had a special fondness for Elvis.
Connie is survived by her children, Kevin (Jill) Griffin of Des Moines and Craig Griffin of Atlantic; sisters, Carol Bullington of Stanton and Nancy (Ross) Schlueter of Atlantic; brothers, Kent (Deb) Rhoads of Davenport, Cal (June) Rhoads of Elk Horn, and Roland Rhoads of Monticello, KY; sister-in-law, Debbie Weaver of Griswold; grandchildren, Carter (Taylor) Griffin of Atlantic, Kira (Nate) Griffin of Stuart, Brittany Grochala, Jessica (Cassie) Grochala, and Nick (Madison) Grochala, all of Des Moines; great-grandchildren, Jamie Ross and Kamrynn Grochala, both of Des Moines; nieces, Michelle (Stan) Jens of Elk Horn, Jeni (Ken) Block of Atlantic, Victoria Hardy of Davenport, Terri (Josh) Raymer of Omaha, Mandy Thurman of Lincoln, NE, Carrissa LaMark of Cumming, GA, and Barbie Weaver of Hallsville, MO; nephews, Jeff (Jodi) Rhoads of Ames, Chad (Michelle) Hardy of Cape Coral, FL, Jim (Rhonda) Bullington of Council Bluffs, Jeremy Rhoads of Cincinnati, OH, Curtis Cook of Carroll, Clinton Thomas of Denver, CO, and Brock Weaver of Bondurant.
Preceding Connie in death were her parents; her brother, Roger Rhoads; brother-in-law, Chris Bullington; half-brothers, Max, Leland, Don and Russell Rhoads; and half-sisters, LaVerne Grieger and Isabell Fay.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
