Candace Ruth Kitselman, 70, of Emporia, KS, passed away on August 11, 2024 at Midland hospice house, Topeka, KS with her best friend of 46yrs, Janet Lea and devoted granddaughter, Samantha Grace.
Candace was born on September 27, 1953 as " Baby Girl Kepley" in Greely CO. On October 30th she was delivered via the Santa Fe train to her loving family: Joseph and Florence Carrier and big brother Christopher Carrier. They named her Candace Ruth Carrier.
After Candace graduated from Shawnee Mission West in 1971, she went on to various colleges till she married David Kitselman on August 20, 1972 in Kansas City, KS. They immediately moved to WA state and were married till 1989. Candace and David's marriage produced 3 children, Heather Joelle, David Kurtis Jr and Jared Damon Kitselman.
1989 Candace moved her kids and loyal dog "Kapu" to Dodge City, Ks so she could attend St Mary's College and be close to her Mother while raising 3 teenagers. She worked full-time at Bank of the Southwest while attending college full time as well. When she wasn't doing College courses, she worked a second job during those years, one such place was working Wendy's, with her 3 teenagers together. The college closed unexpectedly in 1992, so she had to finish college elsewhere.
In 1995 she moved with her youngest son Jared to Madison, KS. Soon after she started working at Emporia State University in the SLIM program. While she worked there she completed her Accounting Degree, attending classes with ALL 3 of her children. Mother and daughter actually walked in the graduation ceremony together in December 2001.
Candace made it a point to be present at every natural grandbabies birth and openly accepted and loved ALL additional grandchildren.
2008... Candace was able to get a copy of her original Birth Certificate from CO and found her biological family in IA. She was blessed with four full blood siblings James, Nancy, Tom & Joe Lauer. The love of 12 blood Aunts and Uncles, lots of nieces, nephews and cousins on the Kepley and Lauer sides was heart warming and amazing to her.
In 2018, Candace retired from ESU, Slim program. Candace's time she spent going to her various grandkids sports events, plays, choir, birthday parties, taking them shopping, mini family vacations, or just being by herself at home talking to her best friend.
Candace was preceeded in death by the family that raised her: Joseph & Florence Carrier, parents, Christopher Carrier, brother. Her biological family: Norman and Carolyn (Kepley) Lauer. Sister: Nancy Schroeder, Brothers: Tom & Joe Lauer.
She is survived by her Favorite daughter
Heather Joelle (Darren) Schuh. Her Favorite sons, David Kurtis Jr (Jonnie) and Jared Damon (Jill) Kitselman. Grandbabies: Alexa Dorcas, Samantha Conger, Miles, Taye, Jorjia, Jewelia, Jerika & Jemma Kitselman, Taylor & Jaedyn Segrist.
Great grandbaby: Krew Weathers
Brother James (Ann) Lauer, brother-in-law Kevin Schroeder of IA. Sister-in-law's Angie Lauer of TX & Sandra Carrier of LA.
27 Nieces & Nephews plus the "Outlaw" family and vast friends over her lifetime.
Services will be held at 1707 W 6th St Lyndon KS on August 17, 2024 at 1-4 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Midland Hospice House, Topeka, KS.