Connie Jo Tanner, beloved mother, sister, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on
February 10, 2025, at the age of 75. Born on January 27, 1949, in Shelbyville, Indiana, to
Rowland and Margaret Moore, Connie spent her early years traveling the world due to her
father’s military service, including spending time in Germany. She later graduated from high
school in Woodlake California, before attending a small business college to pursue a career as
an administrative assistant.
While living in Southern California, Connie met the love of her life, Dennis LeRoy Tanner. Their
love story began in a rather unconventional way—Dennis, a skilled tire salesman, convinced
Connie to let him inspect her tires, only to hoist her car up on a lift until she agreed to go on a
date with him. That fateful meeting led to their marriage on October 16, 1971, in Los Angeles,
California. The couple later settled in Mesquite, Nevada, where they built a life together and
raised their family.
Connie found great joy in her faith and was introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints after moving to Mesquite. Through the kindness of neighbors and friends, she embraced the gospel and was baptized on October 11, 1987. Two years later, on October 20,
1989, Connie and Dennis were sealed in the St. George Utah Temple, a testament to their deep
commitment to their faith and each other.
A hardworking and dedicated woman, Connie worked in the “cage” at the Peppermill Casino
before transitioning to banking as a teller. Later, alongside Dennis, she became a business
owner, opening Tanner’s Videos, which evolved into Tanner’s Collectibles and eventually
Tanner’s Pawn Shop. The couple worked side by side for over 26 years, forming not just a
successful business but a treasured partnership.
After Dennis’s passing in 2008, Connie continued to embrace life with resilience and humor. She spent several years in Mesquite before moving to Hurricane, Utah, to live with her son and
daughter-in-law, and later to Prineville, Oregon, to be with her beloved sister, Bonnie Rogers. In
Prineville, she found joy in caring for her elderly stepfather, Gene Ridgway, and was known for
her mischievous spirit and ability to bring laughter to those around her.
Connie is survived by her two devoted sons, Tommy Jo Tanner and Jimmy James Tanner, her
cherished sister Bonnie Rogers, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. She was a
loving mother, sister, and grandmother who found her greatest joy in her family.
Connie will be remembered for her kindness, humor, and unwavering love. Her legacy of faith,
resilience, and devotion to family will live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know her. Though she is no longer with us, her spirit will remain a guiding light, and the
memories she created will be forever treasured.
A funeral service was held on Saturday February 22, 2025, in Prineville OR to honor and
celebrate Connie’s life. A graveside service will be held on Friday, February 28, 2025, at the Mesquite City Cemetery in Mesquite, Nevada at 11:00 a.m. pacific standard time. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you share a kind act in her memory, just as she always did for those around her.
Until we meet again, Connie. You will be dearly missed but never forgotten.
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