Mary Constance “Connie” Kotchman, 83, passed away on March 23, 2026, surrounded by the love of her daughters in her final hours. She was born on February 10, 1943, in Grafton, North Dakota, to Roy and Blanche (Forbes) Chambers, and was raised on the family farm near Crystal, North Dakota, alongside her brother and sister. With siblings much older than herself, Connie spent much of her childhood playing in her playhouse and enjoying the company of her cats and her dog, Mitsy.

Connie came to know and love Jesus as her personal Saviour at an early age and was baptized in her junior high years, a faith that would guide her throughout her life. She attended church as a child and carried her devotion into adulthood through active service. Her life reflected Christ’s love in action whether teaching Sunday school, preparing snacks for after-school programs, visiting nursing home residents, or serving faithfully on church committees, including those supporting weddings and funerals. Through her church and community, Connie formed many lasting friendships, blessing others with her kindness, and genuine care.

She graduated from high school in May 1961 and went on to attend the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. It was there that she met the love of her life, Sam, after noticing him singing grace in the lunch hall. Their shared faith became the foundation of a beautiful marriage that began in August of 1963 and lasted nearly 40 years, until Sam’s passing in 2003.

Connie’s greatest joy and calling was her family. She was a devoted mother to her four daughters and is survived by Beth Kotchman, Melissa Magilke (Monty), Camille Hedrington (Dan), and Tiffany Fitzgerald (Mike). Her love extended abundantly to her ten grandchildren: Samuel (Jessi), Dylan (Justine), Brittany (Nathan), Kyra (Taylor), Ryan, Lucas (Sierra), Melissa, Casey, Madelyn (Jared), and Abigail (Drew). She was also blessed with great-grandchildren: Brantley, Rowan, Finley, Reagan, Declan, Charlie, Lochlan, Kinzley, Sophia, Hunter, Ellie, and Anthony, and she looked forward to welcoming four more into the world.

Connie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Sam; her parents, Roy and Blanche; her sister, Winifred; and her brother, Glen.

She will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her servant’s heart, and baking her amazing pies, buns, and cinnamon rolls. Connie’s legacy lives on in the generations she nurtured and in the quiet, faithful example she set. Known at the nursing home as the sweet lady who always smiled, her family takes comfort in knowing she is now smiling and at peace in the presence of her Lord and Savior.

A funeral service will be held at 2 PM, on Tuesday, April 7, at McCabe United Methodist Church, 1030 N 6th St, Bismarck, ND. To view the service livestream please click on the link provided ~ Connie Kotchman  (Click on Connie's name to view livestream.)

Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM, on Monday, April 6, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck. A prayer service will begin at 7 PM.

Burial will be held at Fairview Cemetery, Bismarck.

The family kindly requests that memorials be made to Samaritan's Purse International Relief, an organization dedicated to providing spiritual and physical aid to those in need around the world.