Candace A. Kraska

Candace A. Kraska, 69, was born June 16, 1945 in Grinnell, Iowa, the daughter of Anthony and Mabel Clementi. She passed away June 27, 2014 at Mercy Medical Center.

Candace graduated from Grinnell High School where she had been a majorette of the marching band. She worked for Principal Financial until 1980 when she and her husband Emanuel started their family, and she became a full time mom. Candace was a member of ABWA (American Business Women’s Association), IHA (Iowa Hospital Association), PTA (Parent Teacher Association) and volunteered at countless events including her children’s schools and activities. She was unofficially seen as the “Community Mom”. It wouldn’t have been an abnormal day for Candace to have taxied a few kids around town and fed a few others within the same day. She never missed her children’s events unless it was out of her control.

She enjoyed arts and crafts especially drawing cartoon characters on her kid’s school lunch bags (they were a hit!). Candace also was a huge holiday enthusiast. She spent hours upon hours decorating, choosing the perfect Christmas tree and shopping/wrapping gifts.

Candace was an avid Iowa Hawkeye and Chicago Cubs fan. She was always “plugged” in to the games win or lose.

Candace was a member of the Broadlawns Medical Center Guild. She was the manager and buyer for the Broadlawns Gift Shop and volunteered for many special projects and events. She had a passion for helping others and her friends and family called her the Energizer Bunny.

Candace is survived by her loving husband Emanuel Jr.; children, Kelly Kraska and Nicholas (Kelly) Kraska; grandchildren, Abigail and Andrew; brother, James (Becki) Clementi; extended family; and beloved friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Richard.

The family will greet friends Saturday, July 19, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. with a memorial service at 12 p.m. at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Broadlawns Medical Center Guild.

Online condolences may be expressed at
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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