Candace Altonen

Memorial services for Candace Day Altonen of Morris, MN will be Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Morris, with Reverend Dan Belgum officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. Burial will be in Summit Cemetery in Morris.

Candace was born on October 9, 1951, at the old Stevens County Hospital to Eugene and Carol (Norgren) Day. She was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Evansville, MN, and confirmed her faith at First Lutheran Church, Morris, MN. She attended Longfellow School, the East Side School, and graduated from Morris High School in 1969.

Candace attended the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN, where she earned a degree in Health Information Management. Because of her interest in specialized medical treatment, she spent her 40-year career in a variety of clinics and hospitals.

As she approached the age of thirty, she was looking for a grand adventure. She found it in a Native Hospital in Kotzebue, Alaska, north of the Arctic Circle and accessible only by air. She was employed there for one and a half years, then moved on to a Veteran’s Hospital in Vermont, and finally back to Minneapolis to finish her career.

Although her husband, Tim Altonen, had grown up in Duluth and Candace attended college there, they didn’t meet until many years later in Bloomington. They were united in marriage on September 3, 1988, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Duluth by Pastor Jerome Evavold. They made their home in Bloomington for the duration of their life together. Tim passed away on June 6, 2018.

They believed in the concept of rescuing pets and they adopted four Chihuahuas over the years – Pinta, Bridget, Brea, and Lila.

Candace overcame many physical obstacles but, with determination and courage, accomplished much. To those who knew her well, she was truly a Super Hero!

Candace passed away on Friday, November 8, 2019 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, MN. She was 68 years old.

Candace is survived by her mother, Carol Day of Morris, her beloved dog Lila, a sister-in-law, Sandra Bush of Anna, IL, a niece, Cynthia (Douglas) Allen of Anna, IL, and several cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tim Altonen, her father, Eugene Day, her grandparents, John and Nannie Norgren and Harry and Edna Day.

Pedersen Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.