Connie O'Brien, formerly Connie Deatherage of Kansas City, graduated from Northeast High School in 1964. She attended classes at Metropolitan Community College for two years while working for the Federal Government. She met and married Army veteran Edward O'Brien in 1968. In 1979, Connie, Ed and their growing family moved to a small family farm just North of Tonganoxie. Together they have raised eleven children, six daughters: Dana, Teri, Jill, Aimee, Erin and Mary, and five sons: John, Shaun, Michael, Mark and Derek.

Connie's family has continued to grow with the addition of three excellent sons-in-law: Walid, Aaron and Aaron. Yes, that's two Aarons. Connie also has two wonderful daughters-in-law: Blossom and Katie. Connie and Ed have twelve grandchildren and another on the way. Her oldest grandson recently joined the Army and has served in Korea, Fort Knox, Kentucky and was recently assigned to Fort Benning, Georgia.

Connie and the O'Brien children have been active in 4-H for many years. Connie has volunteered as a 4-H Home Economics Superintendent for several years. Connie's youngest daughter, Mary, just graduated from Tonganoxie High and will be attending Benedictine College in the fall. All of Connie's children are graduates of Tonganoxie High School.

Connie is active in her church. She is a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Tonganoxie where she serves as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister. She has become a regular visitor of those who are shut-in and cannot attend regular services. Connie taught religious education classes at Sacred Heart for many years, ultimately accepting the job as Director of Religious Education. In 1991 she decided to resume her college education. She is a graduate of St. Mary College of Leavenworth and has BA in Social Studies and Secondary Education. Shortly after graduating she took a teaching job with the Basehor-Linwood school district. She currently serves as a substitute teacher for area schools.

Connie has always been interested in politics, and that interest took shape publicly when she was elected as a precinct committee woman in 1992. She is the President of the Leavenworth County Republican Women's Club and the Vice Chair of the County Central Committee. She serves as a Second Congressional District Delegate and a member of the Republican State Committee. Connie is a recent graduate of the Eisenhower "Excellence in Public Service" series, a course that is designed to educate and prepare women for service in their community, leadership roles, and political endeavors.

Connie has been called an activist, and she admits that it's true. She believes that Kansans share many core values and principles that are at the heart of her activities. Connie says that regardless of party affiliation, these shared values and principles are what make Kansans great, and Kansas a great place to live.