Kandy Melinda Hartson

After 82 wonderful years of life, Kandy Melinda Hartson, née Keegan, died on Sunday January 19th 2025 after a brief stay in hospice.

Her life was one of joy, humor, and strength. Her life was so monumental that today, just for a moment, I ask everyone to stop talking, pull your cars over to the side of the road, stop all the clocks at the time of her death, and then realize how the whole world has lost some of its joy, sophistication, liveliness, and beauty. Kandy has died.

She was born in Deaconess Hospital in Grand Forks, ND, grew up in Rolla, ND, attended the University of North Dakota for a degree in English, and then the University of Missouri for a Masters in Social Work degree. She had a successful and diverse career as a therapist, trainer, and consultant. She was a camper, health enthusiast, musician, gardener, and animal lover.

One day while Kandy was a student at UND, she approached University Avenue to cross over to her Tri Delta sorority house.

Another student was stopped for the red light and saw her jump over a puddle of water in the crosswalk. When he saw her, he knew he had loved this woman all his life. He courted her, and she agreed to be his beloved wife. She was always, is, and always will be the love of his life.

Kandy and David raised two beautiful bright daughters, Désirée and Rochelle. Désirée is married to Kandy's wonderful son-in-law, Ben Gold, and Désirée and Ben are parents to Kandy's amazing granddaughter, Lenora.

In late December 2024, Kandy contracted influenza, then fell and broke her hip, and ended up in hospice care with congestive heart failure. Her sense of humor remained strong while she was in hospice, and she had fun writing her own obituary:

"I will never have to sing 'Amazing Grace' or 'Abide with Me' again; listen to a boring lecture; be bossed by someone who knows less that I do; get my teeth fixed; dust; wear a bra; live under a convicted felon's presidency; live next to a neighbor from hell; take a driver's test; eat cottage cheese, drink butter milk, wait in line; or be told what to do or not do. Being dead is not all that bad."

That all being said, you can all start talking again, cars can return to their paths, clocks can be set to the current time, and we can all remember that you die twice: once when the breath leaves your body, and then again when people stop saying your name. Kandy is her name. Say it now and often. Keep her in your love. She has always been, is, and will always be the love of David's life. Her name is Kandy Melinda Hartson.

A Service of Remembrance will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 406 8th Street South, Moorhead, MN. Flowers are welcome (she loved them), but donations can also be given to Cats Cradle Shelter, Inc. in Fargo.