Candace M. Ekdahl, 63, of East Grand Forks, MN passed away peacefully on Monday, November 11, 2019 after a long series of medical complications.

Candace Marie Ekdahl was born on February 11, 1956 in Karlstad, MN the daughter of Robert and Beverly (Brevik) Ekdahl of Lake Bronson, MN. Candace's love of the farm and for her six siblings has endured and shaped her life. After graduation from Kennedy High School, Candace attended Northland AVTI in Thief River Falls, MN and earned a degree in Bookkeeping and Finance. Later, she moved to Green River, WY and was employed as a cashier and bookkeeper with Safeway Foods. Wherever she went, Candace impacted people with her laugh and love of life. At Safeway, she had customers who would make sure they were in her line just to say hello. She had that effect on people. She made them feel good with a heartfelt, "Hello Honey". The intonation of her voice let one know just how much she cared.

In 1988, she returned to the farm in Lake Bronson to live with her mother due to new medical issues. After her mother's death, she became a resident of East Grand Forks. The amazing thing about Candace is that she never let her health problems impede her joy. She continued to put others first with simple things asking about their day even when she was having a lot pain herself.  In later years, Candace received a lot of support from others, including friends, family and medical providers. She had a very special relationship with her nieces and nephews-the aunt who would always lift them up after a bad day. She always made one feel like it would all be okay. Candace was always there to listen and maybe respond with an, "Oh, my stars and garters" for something that she couldn't believe had happened. Oh my stars and garters Candace, we will miss you. Candace had many friends and enjoyed visiting with them at Sunshine Terrace. Candace loved when family, especially nieces and nephew would visit. She loved to joke, tease and cook for family.

We would like to say a special thank you to Candace's case manager, Linda Emery and her staff, who loved and cared for Candace on a daily basis; Ronnie Peterson for helping Candace balance her life; her physicians, who cared for the medical complications and the Valley Senior Living staff who showed compassion, dignity and love to her.

She is survived by her brothers, Michael Ekdahl, Green River, WY, Daniel (DeAnn) Ekdahl, Lake Bronson, MN; her sisters, Shirley (Doug) Fletcher, Grand Forks, ND, Diane (Jon) Dorner, Grand Forks, ND, Donna (Dave) Weiby, San Tan Valley, AZ; a brother-in-law, Greg Dahlin, Karlstad, MN; many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Susie Dahlin; a sister-in-law, Dawn (Mrs. Michael) Ekdahl and infant grandnephew, Wiley Ekdahl.

Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 15, 2019 in Evangelical Covenant Church, Kennedy, MN.
Family Greeting: One hour prior to the service in the church on Friday.