DES MOINES, Iowa – Constance Ann Otto Seery, 57, of Des Moines, died Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012, at Bright Kavanagh House hospice in Des Moines. Connie’s peaceful passage, with family at her side, ended her valiant battle with breast cancer.

Her optimism and buoyant spirit never waned during her 25-month fight.

Connie was born May 13, 1954, the daughter of Arnold and Evelyn Otto. She left her hometown of Sterling to attend the University of Northern Iowa. It was at UNI that Connie discovered her true calling: educating children. After graduating, she took a job as a teacher at Clive (Iowa) Elementary School in 1977 and soon realized she had found her new home.

Connie instilled a love of learning and discovery in her students, and practiced it herself. She became one of the first teachers in Iowa to earn the distinction of being certified by the National Board of Teaching Standards. In 1997, Connie received her master’s degree in education from Drake University.

Moving from the classroom to become a reading specialist in 1999, Connie found new ways to use her creative energy to help students in small groups and one-on-one instruction. From dressing up as Clifford the Big Red Dog to using actual dogs as attentive listeners to help children overcome reading anxiety, Connie always kept her kids – and colleagues – entertained as they learned. Everyday events became teachable moments, as Connie designed unique experiences for each child.

After 34 years of teaching, Connie retired in June 2011. She spent her entire career as a proud member of the faculty of Clive Elementary School, where she counted herself lucky to teach for decades alongside her best friends. Connie enjoyed mentoring younger teachers, staying in touch with her own mentors and sharing her passion for education.

Life outside of school was often spent enjoying quiet time with her dogs and outdoor pursuits with her husband, Tom. Besides playing with her beloved dogs, one of Connie’s favorite activities was bicycling. A former Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa participant, one of Connie’s proudest moments of the past year was casting the rigors of her treatment aside for an idyllic spring bike ride around Gray’s Lake, a park in Des Moines

Left to cherish Connie’s joyous spirit are her husband, Tom; brother, Mike (Donna) Otto of Lone Tree, Iowa; sister-in-law, Teresa Wright of Polk City, Iowa; nieces and nephews; and her many, many friends. Tom would like to thank the “angels” – the friends and family who provided steadfast comfort and support in recent weeks. The family gives a special thanks to the nurses and staff of Powell 3.

Connie’s legacy lives on through her wide circle of friends and the hundreds of children in whom she instilled her zeal for lifetime learning and the joy of reading a good book.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., with a sharing of memories at 6:30 p.m., Monday at St. John Lutheran Church in Des Moines. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, with lunch following, at the church. Private burial will be at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Connie’s favorite causes, Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Animal Lifeline of Iowa or donors’ local schools’ library or literacy programs.

Visit www.ilescares.com to send condolences.