Carmen Jule McConaughey, 79, of Rapid City, passed away peacefully on July 20, 2017, in Daphne, AL. Carmen spent the last 18 months near her daughter Julie Volk who was a loving and steadfast caregiver.

Carmen was born November 5, 1937 in Alliance, NE to E.E. "Bing" and Thelma Seegrist.  In 1955 she graduated from Alliance (NE) High School, where she played saxophone in the marching band. She continued studies at Doane College in Kearney, NE.

On June 7, 1959, she married Stanley L. McConaughey in Alliance.  The couple lived in Whitney, NE where they made lifelong friends and farmed wheat until they moved to Rapid City in 1971.  She worked as a bookkeeper at Meadowbrook Manor as well as HealthSouth.  In her leisure time, she loved playing cards and was a highly accomplished bridge player.  A lifelong music lover, she enjoyed performing with the choral group "The Latest Word" in which she sang and played ukulele and bass.

Carmen took great pride in her family, as evidenced by her license plate which read C3XAMOMX6, signifying her three children and six grandchildren.  She loved spending time camping and boating with her family. She is survived by: her son and daughter-in-law, Steve McConaughey and Michele Lynn of Chapel Hill, NC; her daughter and son-in-law Julie and Karl Volk of Spanish Fort, AL; her daughter and son-in-law Mitzi and Brent Haley of Bainbridge Island, WA; six grandchildren, Rachael (Brandon) Ulmer, Ryan (Natalie) Volk, Lauren Volk, Kyle McConaughey, and Quinn and Devin Haley, and four great-grandchildren, Rosalyn, Grace and Margaret Ulmer, and Levi Volk.  She is also survived by three nephews and three nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother Richard Seegrist.

Carmen's family extends special thanks and deep appreciation to Dawn and Brian Utzman and their children who always cared for Carmen as though she were part of their family.

Services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 26 at Canyon Lake United Methodist Church, with Pastor Eric Grinager officiating.  Following the service, a reception will be held at the church before interment at Black Hills National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Black Hills Works, P.O. Box 2104, Rapid City, SD 57709.

Friends may sign her online guest register at www.osheimschmidt.com .