Obituary of Frances Katherine Candee

Frances Katherine Candee was born on February 26, 1921 in Selz, ND to Sylvester and Anna Ehli Young. She was the eighth of eleven children. She lived longer than all of her siblings, reaching the age of 92. She had the distinction of being the only one with red auburn hair. Frances was raised on a farm and attended school in a one-room schoolhouse, completing the 8th grade. She loved to sing in the church choir. Frances left the family farm to work as a housekeeper, first in Harvey then in Williston, ND and later in Camas. There she was introduced to the love of her life, Elmo Kenneth Candee. They were married on November 23, 1940 and lived in Camas until the beginning of WWII when they moved to Burbank, CA. They returned to Camas and lived in town until buying a small farm in Fern Prairie. While Elmo worked in the paper mill, Frances helped run the farm. There were cows, pigs and chickens and a large garden to care for. Frances canned vegetables, fruit and jams. She was an excellent cook and loved to bake for her family. When Elmo died at age 50 in 1963, she sold the farm and moved back into town. It was then, at the age of 42, that Frances had to learn to drive and return to work. She first worked for Camas Laundry and later Pendelton Woolen Mill. She loved fixing up the 1912 house she bought across from Crown Park. Here she had another beautiful garden and many flowers. She joined the Camas/Washougal Garden Club. She liked to sew, bake and craft. She also helped raise two grandchildren, Ricky and Wendy when their mother suddenly died. Frances loved to play cards, especially Kings in the Corner, with her niece, Elaine Murray. She was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Frances lived her last three years in Vancouver at an adult family home where she received excellent and loving care from Vi, Adriana and Marinela. Frances was preceded in death by her husband, Elmo; daughter, Doris Kantner and son, Kenneth Candee. She was also preceded in death by her parents and 10 brothers and sisters. Frances is survived by her daughter, Karen Lutz Kenneth of Longview and six grandchildren, Michael Candee Tina of Alabama; Ricky Kantner of Indiana; Sharman Rice Jeff of West Linn, OR; Rebecca Candee of Newberg, OR; Wendy Sample Chris of Camas; and Rachel Bessett Shane of Keizer, OR. She also leaves 11 great grandchildren. Frances is also survived by sister-in-law, Katherine Young of Camas and numerous nieces and nephews. Services are scheduled for Tuesday, October 1 at 11:00 AM at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Camas. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospice Southwest or St. Thomas Aquinas Guild. Straub's Funeral Home and Columbia River Cremation in Camas has been entrusted with arrangements. To send condolences or to sign the online guestbook, please visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com.