Candy Draper

September 05, 2021

Candy Draper

Service Details

Candy Draper of Des Moines, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend passed away on Sunday, September 5, 2021 at 12:24 a.m. at Lutheran Medical Center. Candy was born on May 18, 1959 to Delores and David in Des Moines, Ia. She will live on in the hearts of everyone that loved her. Candy pursued her passion of helping others and earned her degree as a CMA by taking night classes, all while being a single mother. She worked in the medical field in various capacities for many years until retiring in 2012 for health reasons. Candy was a two time cancer survivor who also fought and won many other health conditions. She was a fighter and fought until the end.

Candy was an avid reader, loved camping and traveling to scenic areas with her family and friends. Her love of the Chicago Bears was unshakable. Candy had a love of movies, especially horror movies which ironically her two sisters hated but her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews loved watching with her! Her love of music included country music, singing and dancing. When she wasn’t reading, watching movies or listening to music, she loved a good word search, and various other games.

Candy’s door was always open to family and friends alike and you would be greeted with smiles, stories, laughter, food and beverages! Visiting with family and friends and making people laugh was her primary goal. She was family, friend, and mother to all she met. Candy was preceded in death by her mother, Delores (McCaughey) Thurman; her father, David Draper; and her partner of many years, Fred Liggins. She is survived by her children, Derek Pettijohn, Skye Pettijohn, and Fred (Katie) Liggins; grandchildren, Karlie, Tristan, Carter, Dominic, Kaylee, Spencer, and Lincoln; sisters, Robin (Chris) Lumsdon and Kim (Matt) Fisher; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, even great great nieces and nephews; and step father, Richard (Linda) Thurman. Her family was her pride and joy, especially her children and grandchildren, whom she often described as her greatest accomplishments.

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