Connie Sue "NANA" McCartney

The Elk River Community mourns the loss of one of its pillars, Connie McCartney also known as “Nana” has died peacefully at her home on Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024, under the guardianship of her beloved canine companion, Nugget.

Connie McCartney was born on August 9th, 1948, to Alton and Clara Bell (Swartz) Sundermeier in Bowling Green, Ohio.  She graduated from Lake High School in Millbury, Ohio and she worked as a waitress at Star & Lils Diner, then as a truck dispatcher for many years at the Stony Ridge Inn. In 1989, Connie and her husband Hud moved to Montana and worked as outfitters in the Bob Marshall Wilderness and later continued west to settle in the small community in Elk River, Idaho. They were drawn to the mountainous area by their love of camping, hunting, fishing, and other outdoor wilderness activities.

In 2003, Connie and Hud purchased the Elk River Lodge & General Store, which they ran together for many years with the help of their family and the grandkids. Connie helped to breathe new life into the Elk River Community. She was instrumental in the creation of the Elk River Backcountry Byway Signboards and the information Gazebos at the pullout for the Elk Creek Falls- the tallest waterfalls in the state of Idaho, and the erection of the highway signage that notifies passing drivers of the amenities available in Elk River on Highway 8. She began the Elk River Ice fishing derby and Spring fishing derby, Her sense of community and working together created an entirely new business environment for the Elk River Community, with the inclusion of all businesses on the community business website. If you had a question about anything in town, you just called the General Store – Connie was the main hub. She was also a member of the Syringa Club for many years and served on the City Council. After retirement, Connie volunteered for many Elk River Community Events.

As if these accomplishments were not enough to keep her busy, Connie also made time to devote herself to many other pastimes, including gardening, playing both guitar and accordion, singing Karaoke, horseback riding, camping, white water rafting, roller skating, playing Keno, playing cards, and traveling, which gave her opportunities to go on adventures across the United States and to the Bahamas.

And even after all that, Connie still wasn’t done.  Her greatest joy of all was her family and grandchildren, she loved to cook and bake for them. She was often seen making Huckleberry Pies and Biscuits & Gravy in her apron and headband, every night she would curl up with a good book, over the years she was always working on various craft projects- making dream catchers, sewing, embroidery, macrame, creating leather projects and antler creations.

Connie is preceded in death by her husband Hud; father Alton Sundermeier; mother Clara Swartz and siblings Jenny Dunn and Earl “Fritz” Sundermeier.  She is survived by her step-mother Sylvia (Glenn) Archer; siblings  Lynn (Steven) Moody and Jere Snyder; children Tonya (Paul Arthur) Delphous, Chad (Meri)  Delphous, Rhonda Rae Bliss and bonus daughter Christina (Chris) Bartlett; grandchildren Trevor (Erin) Delphous, Tyler (Annelise) Delphous, Tiffany (Hollice Wolheter) Delphous, Amber Delphous, Jessica Delphous, Christie Clinton, Walker (Erika Berg) Bliss, Mason Bliss, Jerrod Bartlett and Dustin Bartlett; great-grandchildren Ayla Delphous, Izzy Delphous, Liam Delphous, Chloe Stryhas, Kamryn Stryhas, Johnnie Wolheter, Sydney Tymiak, Everly Hanck, Calista Clinton, Elijah Clinton and Harmoni Clinton; great-great grandchild Ai’lani Gould and canine companion, Nugget.

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