Connie Marie Chaklos

Age 83 of Prior Lake, passed away August 9, 2026

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 5 at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation from 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 16400 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake. Burial St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery. Fr. Tom Walker will preside. Mass will be livestreamed through St. Mike's Youtube.

A Life’s Journey around the World.

Connie Marie Beranek was born September 20, 1942, nine months after Pearl Harbor, into a large, loving Polish family in East St. Louis, IL, and grew up in house heated with coal. After graduating from high school, she went on to St. Louis University School of Nursing, graduating as a Surgical Nurse. Connie met and fell in love with Thomas Chaklos, and they married on June 15, 1963. Tom’s assignment as a Captain in the United States Air Force moved the newlyweds to Japan where they started a family with three boys. Connie went from pierogis and kielbasas to sushi and wasabi – she quickly became enamored with the Japanese culture.

In 1967, Tom’s new job with Northwest Orient brought the family to Minnesota, land of 10,000 lakes, feet of snow, and many new adventures. After the birth of their daughter and dealing with the 3 boys in urban Bloomington, the Chaklos family made the move to 40 acres in Prior Lake in 1973. Connie quickly adapted to farm life, butchering chickens and cows, loading the wood stove, and making candles. Connie continued to practice nursing out in the field as her rambunctious kids had her making frequently trips to the ER. She taught her children to be calm in an emergency, and to always take care of the patient. When she spilled the secret of the “Mustard Incident” during dinner, she revealed she had a “mom’s ALL knowing power,” in a way that holds her children in awe still today. As a mom, she always listened - advising when needed, pushing when needed, and hugging when needed. She loved road trips, especially to St. Louis over the holidays, driving to Mt Rushmore, even Ikea when they opened in Chicago. As a family they shared the wonders of Hawaii, Seattle, Disney Land, and Florida. Only later did her children learn she was claustrophobic on flights, which was why she loved driving so much. As grandkids sprouted up, Connie became Chaba, stemming from the polish Babka and they all loved Chaba as much as she loved them. The holidays were always an event at the farm with egg hunts and scavenger hunts - all looking to discover what had been hidden for them to find.

She lived a long 83 years, but her legacy will live in all of us forever. We love you, Mom, Chaba, Wife, and Friend.

Connie has reunited with her parents, Loretta and George; her brother, Richard; her Aunt Jane, Uncle Gene; and sister-in-law, Marilyn. She will be forever missed by her husband of 63 years, Tom; her three rowdy boys; her favorite daughter, Jen; favorite daughter-in-law, Meg; and her 4 beloved grandkids; as well as many other family members, especially her favorite niece, Jill.

Connie will be forever missed and we will always remember her as she survived -60 temps in Prior Lake.