Lisa Worrall Konecne

Lisa Worrall Konecne was born on February 15, 1976, in Knoxville, Iowa, the youngest of three
children of Art and Rosemary (Smith) Worrall. Her siblings, Marilee and Greg, affectionately
described her as “bossy”—a quality that helped shape her natural leadership skills. Known for
her ability to bring out the best in others, Lisa was a beloved wife, daughter, sister, aunt, friend,
and leader.

Growing up in Melcher-Dallas, Lisa graduated with the Class of 1994. She was involved in
everything and naturally drew people to her with her infectious smile. Active in 4-H, she
embraced leadership roles, excelled in baking and sewing, and enjoyed showing cattle, though
her uncle also encouraged her to show sheep (which wasn’t her favorite).

After high school, Lisa attended the University of Northern Iowa, graduating in 1998 with a
strong love for the Panthers. She went on to Iowa State University to earn her teaching
certificate, beginning a remarkable teaching career. For the last 18 years, Lisa taught in the
Southwest Valley School District, where she lived in Corning with her husband, Todd Konecne.
Lisa and Todd met through friends and were married on December 31, 2010.

Lisa taught Family and Consumer Sciences and built an award-winning FCCLA program
recognized at state and national levels. She received many honors, including State Educator of
the Year, but her greatest accomplishments were the connections she built with her students.
She deeply loved her “kids” and was dedicated to making a lasting impact in their lives. Her
legacy will live on in the lives of the students she touched.

In her free time, Lisa loved attending sporting events with Todd and traveling to favorite spots
like Nashville, Hawaii, South Carolina, Branson, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. If you were
fortunate to be around Todd and Lisa, their love was inspiring. During the summer, Todd and
Lisa loved attending the Knoxville Sprint Car races with her parents and met many people who
quickly became lifelong friends. She also enjoyed sharing her love for Sprint Car and NASCAR
with friends. Lisa cherished family time and embraced both big and small moments with family.

She was her nieces' and nephews' biggest cheerleader; whether supporting school activities or
watching their sports events via livestream, she made sure they knew they mattered to her.
Lisa was known for her thoughtful, perfectly chosen gifts and her fierce loyalty to her loved
ones. She loved BIG, and her family, friends, and students will forever cherish her big heart and
generous spirit.

Lisa fought cancer with unimaginable strength and grace over the last eight and a half years. On
October 28, 2024, with her loving husband and sister by her side, Lisa beat cancer and went to
her heavenly home. While our hearts are broken, we find peace knowing she is free from pain
and that cancer has lost its hold. She won this battle, and we believe she is now celebrating in
heaven.

Lisa will be dearly missed by her husband, Todd; her parents, Art and Rosemary Worrall; her
siblings, Marilee (Darron) Mapes and Greg (Erica) Worrall; her in-laws, Reldon and Kathy
Konecne; her brother-in-law, Cody; and her brother- and sister-in-law, Eric and Jenny. She
leaves behind her beloved dog, Hawkeye, along with 13 nieces and nephews: Mara (Cody)
West, Arron (Deven) Mapes, Marisa (Jacob) MacVey, Ashton (Haley Bryan) Mapes, Benjamin
Wolgemuth, William Worrall, Layla, Wyatt, Ciara, Nolan, Paige, Chloe, and Ryker Konecne. She
is also survived by her great-niece Joie West, great-nephew Cannon Mapes, and a soon-to-
arrive great-nephew, as well as her extended family and countless former and current students.