Connie Friar

Connie (McFarling-Wesley) Friar, 80, of Adel, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 23, 2025, with her daughter by her side.

Visitation will be held Saturday, June 28, from 10:00–11:00 a.m. at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home in Adel, followed by a funeral at 11:00 a.m. at the same location. Connie’s wish was that attendees wear bright colors in celebration of her love for children and the joy of life.

Born August 13, 1944, in Denver, Colorado, to Clarence and Leona McFarling, Connie was the beloved sister of Sherrie (Dean) Dreyer and Rick (Donna) McFarling. Her brother Rick was born on her sixth birthday, a gift she treasured. Their lifelong joint birthday celebrations were a source of joy in the family.

Connie grew up with a flair for the dramatic and a heart for connection. Her father managed Orpheum theaters in Denver, Sioux City, and Des Moines. Connie loved to tag along with her father to work. One of her favorite memories was being allowed to “perform” on the giant theater organ for her dad—the auditorium empty except for him, listening intently and clapping with pride.

From an early age, Connie was active in clubs and organizations, discovering a passion for education, faith and service. After graduating from Drake University in 1966, she began her teaching career, only to be sidelined by a thyroid cancer diagnosis. She fought courageously with the support of family and her then-fiancé, Robert Wesley, whom she married in 1968.

In 1972, Connie gave birth to their daughter, Emily—a child she had been told might never come. She considered Emily her miracle, and being her mother became her life’s most important role. Connie chose to stay home until Emily started school, at which point the family had moved to Salem, Illinois. She returned to teaching with renewed passion and taught for over 30 years, guiding more than 1,000 children to read.

Her students were never just numbers. Connie remembered their stories, their families, and often quietly met their needs—buying shoes, bringing in breakfast cereal and milk, and doing whatever it took to make sure they felt safe and supported. Her daughter would jokingly lament that she couldn’t go anywhere without someone saying, “Aren’t you Mrs. Wesley’s daughter?” Connie would simply shrug and smile, her eyes twinkling with pride.

In 1989, while raising a teenager and teaching full-time, she earned her master’s degree in Educational Administration from Eastern Illinois University. She went on to lead several educational initiatives, including the area’s first full-day kindergarten and a program for home visits to support student attendance and engagement.

In 1994, Emily got married and Connie opened her heart to her son-in-law, Scott. She stood on marathon routes waving signs, encouraged him as he earned his architecture license, and bonded with him over a shared love of faith. They exchanged books each year, challenging one another in their walks with God and growing closer through conversation and trust.

After the end of her first marriage, Connie returned to West Des Moines to care for her aging mother. There, she continued her ministry as Christian Education Director at Wesley United Methodist Church, overseeing curriculum and launching the beloved “Parents of Growing Ones” (POGO) group, which supported young families through parenting and faith.

In 2000, she reconnected with her high school sweetheart, Tom Friar. Their love rekindled quickly, and they were married May of 2001. That same year, her first grandchild, Abby, was born—and Connie joyfully embraced a new chapter as a grandmother.

She poured herself into grand parenting with the same fierce love and presence that marked every other area of her life. Abby, Ethan, and Libby each held a special place in her heart. Whether reading alongside Libby, learning about lacrosse for Ethan, or encouraging every one of Abby’s dreams, Connie was always present. Her “#1 Grandma” shirt, embroidered with their names, was worn proudly and often.

Connie was many things to many people: a teacher, a leader, a woman of faith, a devoted friend. She was beloved by students, admired by colleagues, and revered in her community. But her deepest and most sacred bond was with her daughter.

Emily and Connie were more than mother and daughter—they were best friends. They could speak volumes with just a glance or a squeeze of the hand. Their connection was intuitive, unwavering, and deeply rooted in faith and love.

Her legacy lives on through the lives she touched and the family she cherished. She is survived by her husband Tom, daughter Emily (Scott), and grandchildren, Abby, Ethan and Libby. Her siblings, Sherrie (Dean) Dreyer, Rick (Donna) McFarling and their children, Kristen (JB) Simko, Kaylen Dreyer, Chad (Tara) McFarling and Craig McFarling.

A joyful reunion in heaven awaits.