Obituary for Janet “Jan” LaMae Candee Wilder

Janet “Jan” LaMae Candee Wilder, age 88, of Northwood, IA passed away in her home, Wednesday, August 24th, surrounded by her three daughters.   

A funeral service to honor her life will be held at 1st Lutheran Church, 309 9th St. N., Northwood, IA on August 31, 2022 at 1:30pm with Pastor Becky Sogge officiating.  Inurnment will follow the service at Sunset Rest Cemetery, Northwood, IA.  Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service at the church.  Memorials may be directed to the 1st Lutheran Church in Northwood, IA, Northwood Congregate Meals, Peace and Power, 1st Lutheran Church, Albert Lea, MN, and MercyOne NI Hospice.

Jan was born on July 21, 1934 in Oelwein, IA to Lee and Ethel (Johnson) Candee.  She graduated from Maynard Consolidated High School in 1951 and in 1953 received her two year teaching degree from IA State Teachers College, Cedar Falls, IA.  Jan completed her BA at Colorado State College, Greeley, Colorado.  She taught in the North Central School System (Manly, Plymouth and Hanlontown) for several years.  Jan also worked for Worth County Services and the Worth County Sheriff Office prior to retiring in 1985.

On June 12, 1955, Jan and Robert Wilder (Manly, IA) were the first couple to be married in the new Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Manly, IA.  They were blessed to have three daughters; JoAnn, Marcie, and Amy.  Family summer activities were spent camping, gardening, canning, freezing fruits and vegetables.  Entering flowers/arrangements, garden produce, baked items and projects into the Worth County Fair became a Wilder family tradition.  Fun travels to the Boundary Waters, Alaska, Europe, Washington D.C. and Hawaii were highlighted trips.  Retirement years were eagerly spent going to all the grandchildren’s activities, sporting events, school programs, and a special trip to Florida to watch two of her grandchildren swim in the 2000 Summer Junior Olympics.

Jan was an active leader in her church and community activities.  She was a Sunday school teacher, Girl Scout leader, a member/ past president in Altar Guild, Leah Circle of the 1st Lutheran Church in Northwood, IA, the Green Thumb Garden Club, and the Northern Lights Chapter of Eastern Stars.  Jan and Rob volunteered many lunch hours delivering senior meals (MOW) to Northwood residents.

Jan is survived by her three daughter: JoAnn (Dr. Boyd Manges) and their children Dr. Kirstin (Dr. Martin Piazza), Dr. Robert (Jillian) Manges;  Marcie (Todd Missman) and their children Michael (Stacy) Cole, Jason (Jocelyn) Cole, Chelsea (Greg Hanson), Samantha (Nic Gulick); Amy (Tim Parcher) and their children Thomas (Paige) Parcher, Leah (Ryan Russell), Jan’s brother Roger (Donna) Candee, 19 great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and all her wonderful  friends at Maple Court.

Jan was preceded in death by her husband Robert of 65 yrs. (05/10/2021), a daughter Karen Sue (1967), her parents Lee and Ethel Candee, stepmother Margaret, two stepsisters, Janet and Jean, and three step brothers Duane, Robert, and Keith. 

The family gives a special, heartfelt “Thank You” to Pastor Becky Sogge for her numerous visits to support and provide spiritual guidance to Jan and her family.   A deep appreciation also given to MercyOne NI Hospice for the services they provided.