Rest in peace, Butch

The rumble of classic auto engines and the squeal of rubber on asphalt were part of a Sunday afternoon tribute to longtime Luverne businessman Terry Connell, who died Thursday, Nov. 18.
To celebrate his life and to honor his memory, friends and family organized a classic car ride that started at the Eagles Club and looped down Main Street and past the Connell home east of town.
“Anyone who knew Butch knows his passion for classic cars and that he enjoyed going for cruises anytime he could, whether by himself or with his family or friends,” Ashley Connell shared on Facebook.
“We lost a huge piece of our lives and we know he would love if we went for one last ride with and for him.”
More than 80 vehicles (classic cars, motorcycles, trucks, side-by-sides) followed bumper-to-bumper through town and took turns burning rubber at the end of the Connell driveway on County Road 9.
Terry (“Butch”) will be best remembered for his passion for cars and his dedication to the family car business, his employees and his customers.
He grew up helping at Connell Chevrolet in Luverne with his grandfather, Hugh “Hooper” Connell, and also with his father and uncles and cousins.
“This is where he found his passion for cars,” Terry’s family shares in his obituary, which also describes his interests in racing, side-by-side trips, and similar activities he enjoyed with his loved ones.
The Star Herald published a story in June 2012 about Connell Car Care’s 30th anniversary. “There’s motor oil in their veins … or so it would seem with six generations in the automobile business,” the story began.
Terry and Chantel bought the business from Terry’s dad, Dave Connell, in 2005, after the father-son duo had been in business together since 1990.
“I enjoy the cars and the vehicles, and I enjoy watching the changes in cars,” Terry said. “And I really enjoy the people.”
Through the years, their sons, Jesse and Joshua, became involved, representing the sixth generation in the car business, which Terry described as rewarding work.
“You’re doing a service for people,” he told the Star Herald. “People don’t necessarily like to spend money repairing their cars, but if you can repair someone’s car without it putting them in a financial bind, that’s rewarding.”
And he said it’s especially rewarding to do that kind of work in his hometown.
“It’s good to be able to sell a car you trust to someone you know and know they’ll be happy with it,” Terry said. “That’s a good feeling.”
He credited loyal and longtime employees for business success through the years. “They really are a great bunch of guys,” he said.
Tom Sterrett, a lifelong friend who has worked with Connell for the past 16 years, said Terry’s legacy will be about how he treated people.
“He truly cared about people and he truly cared that people had what they needed,” Sterrett said.
He said that in the days following Terry’s death, dozens of people — customers, community members and “random people” — stopped at Connell Care Care to express their sympathies.
“Almost all of them were saying how great of a guy he was and how fair he was,” Sterrett said.
“He really was a kind, soft-hearted person … He had a way of lightening up any situation, and he had a way of lightening up a room with his personality.”
His wife, Melissa, agreed. “We were all blessed to know him,” she said.
In addition to missing him as a friend, Sterrett said Terry’s absence will be noticed among the Connell Care Care staff.
“After years of doing what he’s done, he’s acquired quite a toolbox of knowledge,” Sterrett said.
“When he and Greg (Vande Velde) were working on something, what one didn’t know, the other one would.”
Thursday evening with co-workers and friends, Vande Velde, who’s worked with Connell for 28 years, offered a toast. “Cheers to one of our best friends,” he said. “And cheers to absolutely the best boss.”
Terry collapsed Thursday morning in Rock Valley, Iowa, where he was picking up shop equipment. Efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. He would have been 58 on Dec. 17.
His complete obituary is on page 7A.