Neil Connolly

It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Neil Connolly of Okoboji, Iowa, USA and formerly of Dublin, Ireland. Neil has left many hearts broken by his sudden departure from our lives.

The youngest of four siblings, Neil grew up in Ireland and spent his adult life in the United States. He enjoyed working as a barman who took great care of the people he served. But his passion to serve and cater went far beyond the hospitality industry–taking care of others was his way of being. His ability to make people feel at ease was as apparent in the bar as it was in his everyday life. In recent years, Neil gained new skills in carpentry and building docks. He loved this work, and he had a bright future ahead of him in this industry.

On July 18th, 2022, Neil married his best friend, soul mate, and wife, Kjersti. Together, they created a life of friends, laughter, music, travel, and happy contentment. Both wanderers and adventurers before meeting each other, their marriage was truly a joining of kindred, vibrant souls. They built a happy home, along with their beloved cat, Freddy. They enjoyed filling their nights with cooking, singing, and watching movies.

Neil lived life with exuberance and a whole-hearted sense of wonder. He could fill any room with his enormous joy, his warmth, and his capacity to make everyone feel like a dear friend included in the party. To know Neil was to love Neil; brother, husband, son, friend, storyteller, and shenanigan Ring Leader. This man was a people-person in the truest and most radiant sense–he wore all hats effortlessly and with inspiring pride. Everyone lucky enough to know Neil undoubtedly has a story filled with the laughter, kindness, and unwavering support he brought to their lives, and people around the whole world are deeply impacted by Neil, from Dublin to New York to Okoboji.

Neil will be sadly missed by his wife Kjersti who is left bereft without his energy and vitality. He will also be hugely missed by parents Des and Kay, brother Mark and sisters Catherine and Suzanne and their spouses Ciara, Brian and Eoin, his parents in law, Dennis and LuAnne Rognes of Lake Mills, Iowa and extended family, including his godchildren and his twelve beloved nieces and nephews.

If you would like to remember Neil you could do so by making a donation to Irish Heart Foundation, or by contributing to a Venmo memorial fund directed to @Kjersti-Connolly.

Private family services for Neil Connolly, age 40, of Okoboji will be held on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

We would like to invite all friends to Mr. Neil Connolly’s epic Going Away Party, which will be held Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Oakhill Outdoor Marina. Party begins at 4:00 pm, and the party never stops. Ham and cheese toasties will be paired perfectly with all the libations. Dress as you wish or as Neil would have liked to see ya.

Let us honor Neil and send him off the way he lived: surrounded by friends and family, loads of laughter, an abundance of love, and, naturally, a few pints.