Aune was born in Boston to Antti and Emma Lepisto. The family moved to Marlborough, New Hampshire when she was two years old, and she grew up there on a farm. Her father died when she was nine, making it necessary for her mother to seek employment out of town, and for the three children to take care of themselves. Mother Emma came home on weekends to bring food and supplies. All three children were good students, walking several miles to school daily.
Upon graduation, both Aune’s brothers attended college and graduated with honors. Aune chose to leave high school and go to work. She returned after two years and also graduated with honors. In the interim, she met a college student, David Conant and they were married after he graduated.
Dave found employment at Fellows Gear Shaper in Springfield, Vermont, and the couple settled in Charlestown. After their first child, a daughter, was born, they purchased a home on Dell Street, and eventually had three sons.
Aune was known for her wonderful baking skills, as many of her childrens’ friends can attest. She was a member of several womens’ organizations and had many friends. She was a talented seamstress. Later in life she taught herself to paint in oils and watercolors. She learned to make beautiful cut and pierced lampshades. She and Dave collected antique bottles and were often to be seen digging in old cellar holes around the area. They joined the Keene bottle club and named a room in their house “The Glass Menagerie” and opened it to visits from school children.
What Aune was best known for was “caring." Her house was almost always occupied by extended family who needed care for a variety of reasons: elderly parents and relatives, nieces and nephews, grandchildren, and children of friends. She and Dave made room for all.
Aune is survived by her daughter Betsey Clark of Lebanon, Maine, two sons, David Conant and his wife Aminta of Barnet, Vermont, Brian Conant and his wife Irma of Charlestown and her daughter-in-law Connie Conant of Charlestown. She was predeceased by her husband David P. Conant and son Roger Conant of Charlestown. She will be missed by her grandchildren: Andrea, Sonia, Laura, Christopher, Amy, Hilary, Matthew, Snow, Caitlyn, Aminta, and Aubrey, her great-grandchildren Douglas, Jesse, Eli, Sophie, Lars, Calvin Camille, Maneesh and a great-great-grandson, Finley.
A celebration of Aune’s life is planned for Tuesday, Aug. 8 at 5:30 p.m. at St Luke’s Episcopal Church in Charlestown.
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