On October 18, 2016, our Blonde Bomber went to Heaven. Candy Marie Ellis Howard was born May 2, 1963, in Rexburg, Idaho, to Robert Stalker Ellis and Edna Marie Dring. She joined her 3 older siblings on the family farm in Terreton.  She would say she basically came out of the womb playing pinochle, however, Grandma Ellis & Grandma Dring taught Cindy & Candy how to play when they were ages 9 & 10 up at the Crooked Creek Ranch.  From then on, Pinochle became the family favorite for time well spent. She was a 1981 graduate of West Jefferson High School, teacher's pet in her Mechanics class and didn't once get marked late for her perpetual tardiness ~ she even tried to save time by putting her makeup on (while driving!) with Cindy doing the steering.

Candy received her AA in Business Management and became the rock star of retail management. She was instrumental in her store, The Closet, reaching million dollar status and eligible to be part of the Maurice's franchise. All the Mud Lake men who shopped there for their wives can attest to Candy's ability to up-sell! She was incredibly driven. She was the first of our family to blaze trails for Wal-Mart Stores. Candy was an exceptionally goal-oriented person and her ability to coach others for success in turn made her very successful. She made people want to strive to do their very best. She could take any negative and spin it as a positive. All this AND her amazing delegation skills were especially remarkable!

She met and married the love of her life, Rich, in 1995. Candy loved the outdoors and they spent their time around countless bonfires, hunting, fishing and working on her parents' farm with her siblings. Losing her brother-in-law Rob, her dad, and Rich made Candy especially appreciative of memories and it further shaped how she approached life. A no-grudges, no-regrets approach to loving and living. She was such an encourager.

Although Candy had no children of her own, she was a true mother to many. She loved fiercely and faithfully, protective and passionate about those in her care. She was "Aunt Candy" to so many. And if you were to ask her, she would declare that she was not only the best aunt, she was the favorite aunt (although her sisters would say she was only slightly wrong there).

The last five years of Candy's life were spent with her companion and friend, Werner. Fishing, four-wheeling, camping, bonfires, putting together puzzles and playing pinochle were her favorite ways to spend time. Candy often tried to boss Werner with what to play, but he actually could hold his own, no matter how very spunky she got with him.

Candy was a strong, beautiful woman, a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She was fiercely loyal and would have done anything for her mom and dad, sisters and brothers. Vivacious, vibrant and full of life and laughter, Candy Kisses will be greatly missed by so many and remembered by those lives she touched along the way. Knowing Candy and the joy she brought was truly a gift. She will be treasured always.

Survivors include her companion, Werner; her mother, Marie; brother, Andy (Kathy); sisters: Penny (Rob), Wendy, Cindy (Robert); numerous nieces & nephews and "great" nieces & nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon, Monday, October 24, 2016, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services. Interment will be in the Dubois Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the West Jefferson Senior Center, P.O. Box 25, Mud Lake, Idaho, 83450.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.coltrinmortuary.com.