Sioux Falls, SD - James "Jim" Connelly, 68, passed away on January 12, 2026, at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls. His Funeral Service will be 10:00 AM Saturday, January 17, 2026, at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory, Sioux Falls. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 pm, with Memory Sharing beginning at 6:30 pm Friday, January 16, 2026, at George Boom Funeral Home. Visit www.georgeboom.com for an online guestbook and live stream link.

James "Jim" Patrick Connelly lived in many communities throughout his life, but made Sioux Falls, South Dakota, his home. He wanted to be a friend to everyone he met, and he never met a person he didn't like! His greeting, "Good to see you again!" showed his genuine love for people.

Jim was born June 30, 1957, at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale, Minnesota. He died January 12, 2026, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls.

His love of sports started early in life: park board football, hockey, and baseball at Webber Park, Minneapolis. That continued in Kimball, Minnesota, where he led the Kimball Area High School Cubs to many challenging victories and he received a baseball scholarship to St. Cloud State University where he pitched for the Huskies. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1979.

After college he relocated to Sioux Falls. Jim began his sales career there, eventually owning and running Mr. Big & Tall, Boots & More. Most recently he worked as a sales associate for PleasureLand RV. Jim thrived in sales because he had a knack for finding a connection with everyone he met.

In 1986 Jim married Jill Auchampach in Sioux Falls. They bought a house on Edgewood Road that became their family home. They had three daughters together - Kayla, Alyssa, and Becca - who loved their Dad very much. Their home was always full of friends, teammates, golf club and church friends, a few pets, and more. They created a home together that provided the foundation for their daughters to thrive, and the home they still retreat to when they need it.

Jim was a coach for many of their sports teams, traveled all over the US to bring them to basketball, softball, and soccer tournaments. He always cheered and whistled the loudest for them in the crowd. His passion for sports and his daughters even went as far as constructing a HUGE batting cage in their backyard! He spent many hours feeding balls into that pitching machine, cracking jokes and drinking a Diet Mountain Dew all summer long. Their childhood with him was filled with so much love and laughter, and they hold those memories with their Dad so close.

Jim met his neighbor Elizabeth Squyer after the ice storm of 2013 and they married in 2021 in Sioux Falls. Jim and Liz enjoyed fixing up their old house and spending time with friends under the gazebo.

Jim was preceded in death by his grandparents Hazel and Evans Connelly and Emmaline and Al Nafstad, parents Joyce and Evans Connelly, and older brother Mark Connelly. No doubt Jim greeted them with a warm "Good to see you again!"

He is survived by his loving wife Elizabeth Squyer, devoted sister Kandi (Tim) Sauer, best friend and brother Chip Connelly (Molly Maher), beloved daughters Kayla (Jonathan) Heber, Alyssa Connelly (Spencer Schilling), and Rebecca Connelly (Zach Walters), four grandchildren Jackson and Benjamin Heber, Elle and Mara Schilling, stepchildren Paul (Becky) Squyer, Bill Squyer, Carla (Michael) Heuer, Maggie Squyer (fiancé Jimmy Keating), Helen Squyer, and five step-grandchildren Liam Albus, Rosie and Emmett Heuer, and Ophelia and Vivian Squyer, and mother-in-law Carla Sahr of Pierre, South Dakota.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Sioux Empire Fastpitch Softball Association in memory of Jim Connelly.