Stella Rose Mcconnell

Stella went to Heaven after a 17-month fight with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma. With her strength and bravery, she exceeded all doctors expectations. Stella was surrounded by family as she reached her hands up for Jesus. She was born on March 13, 2017 in McCook to Evan and Brandi (Diederich) McConnell. The most important people in Stellas life were her parents and little sister, Nora. She loved her family and she loved being surrounded by them. Since the day shes been born, Stella always woke up early to truly take in and love every single day shes been given, living in the moment with nothing but joy. We cannot describe on paper her love and enjoyment for school. This was her life, learning and playing with her friends. Stella was very witty, smart, and creative. The teachers, staff, and students at the Child Development Center at McCook Community College, Little Blessing Preschool at Memorial Methodist Church, and McCook Elementary, were an inspiration to Stella. They were the people she always looked up to, adored, and loved. Stella was able to meet her goal of starting First Grade this year at McCook Elementary. Stella never gave up on learning. On trips shed always ask for worksheets or this months challenges that her teacher gave the class to work on, and you bet, she wasnt going to go to bed without doing sight words. She was just starting to read. She was so worried that the Kindergarteners learned to tell time on the clock and that she missed that session. Learning wasnt a chore to her; it was an important piece of who she was. Stella enjoyed going on trips. She traveled coast to coast in the last year. The beach, Legoland, and Disney Vacations were some of her favorites. Stella really enjoyed her YouTube shows and loved sharing them to spark laughter and conversation. She had many dreams of being a mom, farmers wife, in-home daycare teacher, and most recently a candy storeowner. She was also quite an entrepreneur with her lemonade stands. Stella was blessed with amazing friends that stood by her side in her fight. She and her friends enjoyed going on treasure hunts, having makeup sessions, and making slime. You may have noticed in the last year Stella became very fond of red lipstick. Shes always been an excellent shopper, but most recently it was for the brightest and boldest red lipstick. She was also always shopping for mystery mini foods! Stella was very much into face painting. Her commitment to waiting in a two-hour line was a prime example of her stamina. Stella was the party planner in the family. She celebrated every birthday and holiday to the fullest. She was always dressed perfectly for the occasion and loved creating and making traditions and memories. Stella was our girlie girl. Youd often see her in bright beautiful dresses and bows. Stella loved to dress up and dance, and was always ready for a dance party. Even though she was girlie, shed be excited for the next lake trip to go camping and fishing. You wouldnt think she would, but she enjoyed having the job of grabbing the next worm for us and reeling in that fish. Stella had beautiful curly red hair and she would often say she was different. We would tell her she wasnt different but very beautiful and unique. She was a beautiful 6 year old who was precious inside and out. She loved to make people smile, and be happy. Some of her happiest moments were being with babies. She loved to hold and care for them. She loved being a caregiver to her friends, and her family. She was an exceptional caregiver to her sister. One of the happiest moments of Stellas life is when we brought Nora home to her. Weve never seen her smile so big and full of love. Stella was preceded in death by her great grandparents, Ben and Rose Desmond, Merlin and Lola Diederich, Ed Fahnholz, and Stephen McConnell. Great-Uncles, Dave Diederich and Dale Fahnholz, Great-Aunt, Ardis Kaus, and many other great-aunts, uncles, and cousins. Left to mourn Stella are her parents, Evan and Brandi and her sister, Nora of McCook; her grandparents, Steve and Marilyn Diederich of Oberlin, Kan., Debbon and Eldon Shields of Chadron, Neb., David McConnell of Columbus, Neb., and Great-Grandma Carol and John Barrett of Traer, Kan., Great-Grandma Kay McConnell of McCook; her Aunt and Uncles Spring and Kerry Louderback of Oberlin, Kan., Ryan and Arlie Diederich of Randolph, Kan., Colt and Erika Diederich of Ludell, Kan., and Coltan and Shelby McConnell of McCook, Neb. Her awesome cousins: Gemma and Knox Louderback of Oberlin, Kan., Augustus and Patton Diederich of Randolph, Kan., Dexton, Chett, Charley, and Crosby Diederich of Ludell, Kan., and Elliott McConnell of McCook, and a host of great aunts and uncles, cousins, and friends. Dust off your glass slippers and get your best princess dress ready. At 9:30AM on Saturday morning, October 7, 2023 you are cordially invited to a Princess Ball at McCook Christian Church as we gather to celebrate the life of Princess Stella Rose McConnell; a beautiful soul that left this world too soon but touched us all. A Tea party and time for fellowship will follow. Services will be livestreamed on the McCook Christian Church Facebook Page for those unable to attend. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family of Stella McConnell for a memorial to be designated at a later date. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook. Memorial Service Saturday, October 7, 2023 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM McCook Christian Church 507 West B Street McCook, NE 69001 Ball gowns, tiaras, and formal dress are not required. The most important thing is that Stella's friends and family be present as we celebrate the life she lived and the new life she has gained through Jesus!