Candance Lynn Helms Ritch, 62, died on July 22, 2022, at Rainy Lake Medical Center in International Falls, Minnesota.
Candance was born on November 25, 1959, in Lufkin, Texas. She grew up between Seadrift and Goliad, Texas. Candance graduated from Goliad High School in 1979.
Candance met her future husband, Jack Ritch in 1977 and they were wed on December 15, 1979, in Carson City, Nevada.
Candance began her 26-year military career in the Air Force in 1980. In 1987 she switched branches to the United States Army to become a helicopter pilot, for Huey’s and eventually Blackhawk medivac. Her career took her family all over the world including stateside, Okinawa, Japan, and all over Germany. After an honorable discharge in 2006, Candance and her family lived in Fort Worth, Texas, before moving to International Falls. Candance eventually landed her dream job as the Koochiching County Veterans Service Officer. There was no better pleasure to her than to help her brothers and sisters in arms. She worked at that job until developing stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer in 2017, which forced her into early retirement.
Candance and Jack have two daughters, Nikki Silvers and N’Seana Ritch. Her husband and daughters were her entire world, until her five grandchildren, Rylie, Brady, Jack, Ava, and Alayna, came along of course! Her family meant everything to her. Candance was the matriarch of her family and was taken far too soon.
Candance loved her grandchildren more than they will ever know. Christmas was her favorite holiday. She loved decorating her house and shopping for the family. She never wanted anything in return. She just wanted to see everyone’s faces as they opened their gifts. She considered that her gift. She loved bear hunting, fishing on Rainy Lake and spending late nights in her craft room making homemade goodies for her family and friends, with frequent calls to Shelly Morin for tips and tricks. She also enjoyed her vegetable and flower gardens. She loved being at her children and grandchildren’s sporting and extracurricular events. She was always the loudest one there!
Candance was proceeded in death by her daddy, YZ Helms Jr., biological father, Leo Wuensch, paternal grandparents, grandmother Olive MacGregor, Aunt Jean Moskal and her fellow brothers and sisters in arms.
Candance is survived by her husband of 43 years, Jack, daughters; Nikki Silvers (Doug) and N’Seana Ritch (Dickie Conat), grandchildren Rylie Ritch, Alayna Conat, Brady, Jack and Ava Silvers, sisters; Cathy Sullivan (Paul), Laurie Moore, Susan Riley, Charlotte Moore, Carolyn Johnson, brothers; Rusty Helms, Randy Helms, Ricky Barnes, Randy Edwards, numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, best friend Shelly Morin, her beloved fur babies June, Peanut, Little Bit and Coco and her fellow brothers and sisters in arms.
The family would like to thank the staff at Rainy Lake Medical Center for their compassionate care for Candance during her final days. Special thanks to Emily Rasmussen, Angel Edens and Cherrie Belanger for their exceptional compassion given to Candance and her family during this difficult time. Also, a special thank you to Nancy Burmeister for the care she provided Candance over the years.
A memorial service for Candance Ritch will take place on Saturday, August 13, 2022, at Backus Community Center at 10am. Interment will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery with full military rites following the service. A lunch will be served at Backus from noon-2pm to celebrate the beautiful life of Candance.
Although you are no longer with us, we know you will not leave our sides as we navigate this life without you. Love you more!
Condolences may be left at greenlarsen.com.
Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary Incorporated.
