Candace Lee Walby Demke

Candace Lee Walby Demke, age 55, of Cottonwood, MN, moved on to her heavenly home on Saturday, June 4th, 2011 at Morningside Care Center in Marshall, MN, surrounded by family following a courageous battle with many illnesses throughout her short life. A visitation will be held for Candace Candy Demke at Christ Lutheran Church in Cottonwood, MN on Tuesday, June 7th, 2011 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. with a prayer service beginning at 7:30 p.m. Funeral will be at Christ Lutheran Church in Cottonwood on Thursday, June 9th at 1:00 p.m. with lunch following. A visitation will also be held at Parkway Funeral Home in Bismarck, ND on Friday, June 10th beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a memorial service beginning at 7:00 p.m. Committal will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens in Bismarck, ND at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 11th, 2011. Candace was born on September 24th, 1955 in Bismarck, ND to Douglas and Lillian Koepplin Walby. She attended Saxvik and Northridge Elementary Schools and graduated from Bismarck High School. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis on reading from Mary College in Bismarck. She married the love of her life, Jim Demke, on August 3rd, 1974 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Bismarck. Following Jim's calling as a Lutheran pastor, they made their home in St. Paul, MN; Fairview, MT; Minot, ND; Rock Valley, IA and most recently, Cottonwood MN. She established many dear and close relationships no matter where God called them. Candace filled her time as an elementary teacher, taking pride in touching young children's hearts forever. In addition, she was active in church groups and activities, including teaching Sunday School and organizing children's programs. Candace is survived by her husband Jim, daughters Sarah and Erik Oetjen of Sioux Falls, SD and Amy Demke of Las Vegas, NV, parents Douglas and Lillian Walby of St. Cloud, MN, and sister Pat and Tom Dosch of St. Cloud MN. She was preceded in death by grandparents William and Rose Walby and Albert and Elsie Koepplin, and uncles Larry, Allen and Gilbert Koepplin. We will continue to miss her giggles, her zest for life, her indomitable love of teaching children and attempts to teach her husband, her drive to observe special events and occasions despite obstacles, her inspiring attitude and miraculous endurance in facing a deluge of challenges thrown at her, her reluctant agreement to leave home and friends when asked to move and coming so quickly to love each new home. She will be missed greatly as the daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, niece, friend and more that she was to those who also now rejoice in her moving one last time to a perfect home forever with her Lord. "Our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same, but as God calls us one by one the chain will link again."

Candace Lee Walby Demke

September 24, 1955 - June 4, 2011