Candace Bridges

Funeral services for Candace Bridges, 83, of Killdeer, will be 10:00 a.m. MST, Monday, December 23, 2019 at the Killdeer Cultural Center in Killdeer, ND. Visitation will start one hour prior to the service.

A final service and burial will take place for Candace in her home town of Poplar, MT, on January 6, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the Presbyterian church.

Candace passed away December 18, 2019 at CHI St. Alexius Health in Dickinson, ND surrounded by her loving family.

Candace Thelma Bridges was born January 27, 1936 in Wolf Point, MT, the daughter of Walter and Jessie Mae (Hart) Bridges. She grew up on the family ranch North of Poplar, MT, where as a child she enjoyed the ranch work, helping her father ride on the cattle, care for the horses, put up hay and with other ranch chores. Candace attended Poplar high school where she was active in the band and was a majorette. She was crowned Wolf Point Stampede Rodeo Queen in 1953. Following her graduation, Candace attended Northern Montana College in Havre where she attained her two year teaching degree. She then began her teaching career at Charlie Creek Country School in eastern Montana in the 1950s.

In 1958 Candace married John Fredericks Jr. and moved to Twin Buttes North Dakota. Together they had five children, Susan, John III, Casey, Shawn and Mary. In the 1960s she continued teaching in Mandaree and Twin Buttes on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. After her children were born, she went back to college in the late 1960s and received her four year degree in education from Dickinson State College. She moved with her children to Medora North Dakota in 1971 and continued teaching and raising her children after her divorce. While in Medora she traveled throughout each school year to various country schools in Billings County teaching classes. In 1975 she moved with her children back to Poplar where she taught in Poplar and Brockton Montana.

Candace was an educator for over 40 years in eastern Montana and western North Dakota. She mentored many young people along the way, while remaining devoted to raising and nurturing her own children.  She eventually retired from teaching in Brockton, Montana. Even after retirement though, Candace continued to do what she loved by tutoring and substitute teaching. In 2001 Candace moved to her son Casey’s ranch north of Dunn Center ND and from there travelled to her kids homes staying at times with Susie and Mary on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. She was a lifelong learner, educator and mentor.

Candace enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her kids and grandkids. She was a wonderful seamstress, always sewing clothes for her kids, nephews, and nieces as they grew up. Candace was an avid reader and loved to travel. Candace was very knowledgeable and was known to be a historian. She loved visit with everyone – always making people feel special.

Candace is survived by children; Susan Jane Fredericks of Mandaree, John (Wendie) Fredericks III of Mandan, Casey David (Kami) Fredericks of Halliday, Shawn Dee (Peggy) Fredericks of Busby, MT, and Mary MaLee Fredericks (Marle Baker) of Mandaree; grandchildren, Michael Granbois, Jordan Granbois, Chloe Fredericks, Candace “Cate” Fredericks, Jesse Fredericks, Whitney Schroeder, Mariah Fredericks, Megan Fredericks, Casey Shay Fredericks; Great grandchildren, Will and Mara Granbois, Sampson and Charlotte Schroeder, Jubal Fredericks, Brylie Ohmstede,  Chastyn Fredericks, Essence Garcia, Evalina Castro, Breanna Castro, and Roman Castro; and brothers, Donovan (Claire) Bridges of Poplar, MT, and Dallas O’Connor of Poplar, MT, and special sister-in-law Danette O’Connor of Hinsdale, MT.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Jessie Bridges, grandmother Jettie D. Hart; and nephew Darren Bridges.