Cornelia "Connie" St. Croix, 84, Minot died Tuesday, May 12, 2020 in a Minot hospital.

Connie was born February 2, 1936 to Ruperto and Luisa (Gatmaitan) Calderon in Nueva Ecija, Philippines. She attended elementary and high school in Zaragoza, Philippines, graduating in 1954.  Furthering her education she attended school to become a midwife in Manila, Philippines, graduating in 1957. Next, she attended college in Cabanatuan, Philippines, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1965. Following her schooling, she worked at the Cabanatuan Hospital as an RN/Midwife for a year.

Connie came to the United States in 1966, where she resided in Rochester, MN and worked at St. Mary's Hospital for a year as a graduate nurse, through the graduate nurse exchange.  She married Earl Jensen of Stanley ND.  They moved to Minot in 1967 and was employed at St. Joseph's Hospital from 1967-1974.  Earl passed away from cancer in 1969.

On June 26, 1970 Connie was united in marriage to Walter St. Croix in St. Leo's Catholic Church, Minot.  She met Walter when his father was in the hospital and she was his nurse.  She continued her work as an RN at the Americana (Minot Health and Rehab) from 1974-78. She worked as an infant nurse at Trinity Hospital from 1979-1988, transferred to Garrison Nursing Home in 1989 and worked there until 1998. In 1998, she worked at the Rock View Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Parshall until her retirement in 2005, following 40 years of nursing.

Connie continued to take care of her husband after a stroke nearly claimed his life. She assisted him with the operation of the St. Croix Buffalo Ranch. The ranch was established in 1981 as one of the first American Bison ranches in the Towner, ND area and operated under their care until their retirement in 2005.

She enjoyed helping the elderly. She carried a deep faith throughout her life and was a member or St. Leo's Catholic Church, Minot, serving as a Eucharistic Minister for several years as well as belonging to Catholic Daughters of the Americas. She was also a member of the American Nurses' Association, and held her profession dear to her heart by attending workshops, in-services and continuing education in the nursing field.

Connie carried on her Filipino heritage by cooking meals for the family, her egg rolls and fried rice were family favorites.  She also enjoyed sewing and crocheting.  Her favorite TV shows were Young & the Restless and Dallas, but she would also watch Food Network or EWTN.

In 2017 she moved to Minot Health and Rehab formerly (Americana) as a patient.  She was still like a nurse sitting by the nurses' station.  Some nurses knew her from working as a nurse and some were trained by her.

Surviving family includes, daughter, Florence "Buttons" (Slade) St. Croix-Helde, Grandchildren, Dylan Croix Helde, Isabel Rose Helde; Brothers, Pablo (Estefania), Philippines and Mariano (Lany) New Jersey.  Sister Eladia Ferrer Massachusetts; Sisters and Brothers-in-laws, Linda (Ron) St. Croix-Terfehr and Donna (Dale) Marsland; along with many numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Walter and siblings Eliodora, Irineo, Arcadia, Stanisla, Gloria, Salud, Ruperto Jr., Hermogenes, Victor, and Ruperto III.

Private Family Mass of Christian Burial : 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 21, 2020 at St. Leo The Great Roman Catholic Church, Minot.
Public Visitation : Wednesday, May 20, 2020 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Interment : Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot

Connie St. Croix Flowers