Constance Maras Obituary She was a rock. Constance (Connie) Orletta Peterson Maras, of Baxter, passed away October 6th, 2024 at the age of 82, from complications of a dementia related illness. Connie was born April 20th, 1942 in Sundberg, MN. She died peacefully surrounded by her loving, and adoring family, at home. While her passing was expected, her family is devastated by her death, nonetheless. Connie was in her essence, an artist. She loved painting, rosemaling, knitting, music, ballroom dancing and singing. Her talents for creating beautiful art were absolutely precious. She was an amazing cook, making the most amazing Christmas cookies that were the envy of the town. The sparkle and twinkle of Christmas brought her profound joy as she kept a tree up year round, and could be seen watching Christmas movies in July. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother. She spent most of her career as an operator with then Brainerd Medical Center. Connie was preceded in death by her parents Walter and Ivory Peterson. She is survived by her husband David Maras, her sons, Anthony Maras (Mary-Beth Maras) Gary (Sharon) Maras; her daughter Natalie (Gary) Armstrong, her grandchildren, Julia & Maia Maras, Megan Norbeck, Kellee Peterson, Camie Jaskola, Stacie Peterson, Michael Maras, Nikita Maras, step grandchildren Steve, Kelly and Gary Jr. Armstrong and 27 great grandchildren; her sisters, Dianne Morris and Rosalind Haapajoki and many nieces and nephews. Her entire life was built around her family. Everyone who knew Connie all saw similar traits in her. She was one of the most gracious, gentle, most charitable, witty and compassionate souls to ever grace the earth. The path she walked in life was imbued with these character strengths as her guiding mantra. She would want everyone to vote blue in November, to cheer on the Vikings and Gophers, and to implore others to treat one another with love, humility and kindness. She was a shining example of perseverance, having been dealt severe health challenges throughout her life. She is a testament that with love, you can overcome anything. All who loved her, will remember her tenacity, wit, intellect and undying love. As we all struggle with her loss, we lean on the Almighty God to get us through this difficult time and we remember the words of Aeschylus, "Even in our sleep, pain which cannot be forgotten, falls drop by drop upon the heart. Until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God." Connie's funeral and celebration service will be at 11:00 am, Saturday, October 12th at Nelson Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd. Visitation will begin at 10am. She will forever, finally, rest in peace. Services Visitation Saturday October 12, 2024 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM Nelson-Doran Funeral Home 202 8th Avenue NE Brainerd, MN 56401 Funeral Service Saturday October 12, 2024 11:00 AM Nelson-Doran Funeral Home 202 8th Avenue NE Brainerd, MN 56401