Candace Jones Obituary

Candace "Candy" Jean (Wiren) Jones passed away June 25th surrounded by family after an all too short battle with cancer. Rude's Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Candy was known for her patience, kindness, and radiant smile. She listened without judgement and had sage advice when asked. Once when asked why she was often quiet in a group, she responded, "I already know what I think. I want to hear what everyone else thinks." She had a gift for making people feel seen and loved.
Candy moved to Brookings, South Dakota when she retired so she would be closer to her grandchildren. Known as Lala, she enjoyed attending her grandchildren's games, activities, and concerts. She cherished her trip last fall to Knoxville, Tennessee to attend a football game and see her grandson Chance march in the University of Tennessee Pride of the Southland Band. Lala always had the best snacks and knew the favorites of each grandchild. She loved talking with her grandchildren about their hopes, plans, frustrations, and dreams.
When people asked Candy where she grew up, she would pause because there was no short or easy answer. She was born in Worland, Wyoming to Karl and Jean (Knowlton) Avery on June 11, 1944. When she was just two, her father, an avid fisherman, tragically died in a freak storm on Yellowstone Lake. Several years later, her mother married John Wiren who became her beloved dad. John's job took their family all over the United States and indeed the world. Of all the places she lived growing up, she was most fond of Kilchberg, Switzerland, where she lived from 6th to 11th grade.
After completing her Bachelor of Arts degree in German at St. Olaf College, she married Edward Jones in 1966. They had two children, Lisa and Brian, and settled in Delavan, Minnesota where they would live for many years. Though Candy and Ed divorced in 1996, they remained committed co-parents and grandparents, and continued to share in their children's lives and milestones.
Candy enjoyed a fruitful career in manufacturing including purchasing, human resources, and management. She was a business leader at a time that didn't always welcome or support women. She forged her way ahead, providing the same thoughtful, kind, and common sense approach that she exhibited in her personal life. Her daughter, daughter-in-law, and nieces were inspired by her and often asked her for business advice. The final step of her career was as General Manager of Saunders Wood Specialties in Park Falls, Wisconsin. With an eye for detail, she appreciated the beauty of the wood veneer they produced there, and would often point out veneer patterns when in a concert hall, restaurant, or lobby.
Candy loved her lake house in Phillips, Wisconsin and the many family traditions that were built there. Many stories and life lessons were exchanged around the campfire. The 4th of July always meant watching fireworks from the boat. Yet she, upon retirement, didn't regret for a moment moving to be closer to her family.
Candy is survived by her daughter Lisa (Dan) Svobodny of Brookings, South Dakota, her son Brian (Stacey) Jones of Mankato, Minnesota, 5 grandchildren (Jordan, Alexander, Geoffrey, Chance, and Shelby), her brother William (Anne) Avery of Arvada, Colorado and sisters Susan (Paul) Sween of Austin, Minnesota and Martha Behrle (Keith Cracraft) of Grand Junction, Colorado, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents John and Jean Wiren.
A private service is planned for later this summer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brookings Area United Way or the Avera Cancer Institute-Sioux Falls.
To send a flower arrangement in memory of
Candace Jean Jones, please click here to visit our sympathy store.