Constance Myra Gognat

Constance (Connie) M. Gognat, 90, of Evansville, IN and formerly of Vincennes, IN, passed away at 9:15 A.M. on August 9, 2017, at the home of her niece in Evansville.

Connie was born on October 21, 1926 in Vincennes, the daughter of Richard and Ellen (Clifton) Davis. She graduated in 1944 from St. Rose Academy. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and, more recently, attended mass at Corpus Christi Church in Evansville with her niece and her family. She married Joseph Anthony Gognat on November 24, 1949 and they made their life together until his death on April 17, 1975. She retired from the Federal Government after working at George Rogers Clark National Historic Park and the U.S. Postal Service. Her earlier career was spent at Public Service of Indiana, the Vincennes License Branch, and working for her beloved parents at the Wagon Wheel Cafe.

She loved being an active part of her family, traveling often with or to see her kids and grand-kids, always helping her extended family, and preparing wonderful home-cooked meals and baked goods - especially her chocolate chip cookies and “Aunt Connie's Noodles”. She had a dry and very funny sense of humor and her kids especially enjoyed her spot-on imitation of Julia Child. She enjoyed playing cards, especially euchre, poker, and kings in the corner, board games, listening and dancing to music, and going to casinos. She enjoyed walking, gardening, early morning coffee and bird-watching on her patio, her independence, and maintaining her very tidy house of over 53 years. She was always ready for any adventure, no matter what her children would come up with. She went to rock concerts, camping, made frequent visits to Colorado, Tennessee, Maine and New Hampshire to visit her children, traveled to South America, Hawaii, California, Nevada, Florida, cruises to the Caribbean, Central America, and lots of boating in fresh and salt water well into her 80’s.

Connie will also be fondly remembered for being extremely resilient, caring and hard working. She worked full time, cared for her husband, and raised her three children during her deceased husband’s extended illness. After his death, Connie devoted countless hours as a volunteer for those in need. She volunteered with the USO during World War II, Pink Ladies, Meals on Wheels, Good Samaritan Hospital, and for Sacred Heart Church bereavement dinners. She supported St. Jude's Children's Hospital, a charity close to her heart, for many years.

Connie is survived by three children, Timothy Gognat of Lakewood, CO, Linda (Tom) Schuman of Venice, FL and Richard (Helena) Gognat of Greenwood Village, CO, and four grandchildren, Remi Gognat, Benjamin Schuman, Tori Gognat and Leila Gognat. She is also survived by two sisters, Anita Wolfe of Indianapolis and Sondra Sievers of Vincennes, one sister-in-law, Robbie Carie of Washington, and her very special niece and family with whom she lived and who cared for her for the past year, Ellen (Zwolinski) and Mark Lasher, and their children, Alexis, Meghan, Johanna, Logan and Emma of Evansville, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Prior to moving to Evansville in 2016 and during her stay with her niece, Connie was cared for by several special individuals. They each provided her great comfort during her particularly difficult illness. In addition to the Lasher family, Suling, Sally, Janet, Natasha, Stephanie,  Robbie, Phyllis, Jenny, Hal, Marilyn and her nephew, Joe Gognat, cousin, Mary Teising, her friend Patrick Scher, staffs of Good Samaritan Home Care & Heritage Hospice went out of their way to make Connie’s life better.

She always loved dogs, frequently sharing stories of her childhood dog, Mickey, and her kids' dog, Nappy. She received joy and comfort in her final months from her puppy, Mani (Manhattan), who is part of the Lasher family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, one sister, Naomi Zwolinski, and three brothers, John, Lyle and Ronald Davis.

To honor her wishes, Connie will be cremated and a memorial service will be held Saturday, August 12, 2017 at 4:30 PM with Father Kenneth Herr officiating at Fredrick and Son McClure-Utt Funeral Home Vincennes Chapel, 313 Church St.  Family and friends may visit from 3:30 PM (EST) until the time of service. She will be laid to rest next to her husband, Joe, at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Vincennes. Fredrick and Son Funeral Home are in charge of the arrangements. Memorial donations can be made in her honor to St. Jude's Children's Hospital (www.stjude.org), to biomedical research, or to the charity of the donor's choice. Condolences can be made online at www.fredrickandson.com.

 Service Information