Clydene Canady Obituary

Clydene Susan Canady, 73, of Remsen, Iowa, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, surrounded by the love she so freely gave to others throughout her life.

Her family will be hosting a get together with family and friends to honor her life in Grand Lake, CO, later this summer. In honor of Clydene’s deep respect for nature and her lifelong love of nature, her family kindly asks that in lieu of flowers, you consider planting a tree, creating a sanctuary for bees in your garden, or simply remembering to recycle.

Born on March 8, 1952, in Fraser, Colorado, Clydene was raised by her devoted mother, Lillian (Keller) Blanton, in the scenic Grand Lake area. She graduated from Middle Park High School in Granby, Colorado, in 1970 and later pursued cosmetology in central Iowa, working as a beautician before devoting herself full-time to raising her three beloved children: Erika, Aaron, and Drew.

Throughout her life, Clydene embraced change and opportunity, moving with her family across the Midwest and working in a variety of roles that reflected her creativity, compassion, and unwavering work ethic. She proudly served as a Girl Scout Service Unit Director in Muscatine, Iowa, and later cherished her time serving school lunches in Yankton, South Dakota, where she built lasting friendships. Determined to further her education, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Mount Marty College in 1997. This was an achievement made all the more remarkable by the hard work and dedication it required.

Her calling to care for others led her to return to Colorado to look after her mother, and eventually to serve as the Food Service Director at Colorado Christian College. Back in Iowa, Clydene found her true vocational home as the Child Care Resource & Referral Coordinator at Mid-Sioux Opportunity, Inc., where she combined her love of children and nutrition to positively impact families across Northwest Iowa until her retirement in 2020.

Clydene’s faith was deep and personal, reflected in quiet moments, everyday acts of kindness, and her resilient spirit. She was a proud Girl Scout leader to Erika and her troop, guiding them from Brownies through to earning their prestigious Gold Awards. She was also Assistant Director at Camp Sacajawea and a Red Cross Babysitting Instructor, roles that embodied her lifelong commitment to teaching and nurturing others.

Family was at the heart of everything Clydene did. She adored her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, seeing each of them as a miracle and her greatest joy. She was their loudest cheerleader—though never quite understood their taste in "that rap crap!" Her favorite times were those spent with family, whether for holidays, birthdays, or simply the “help out around Grandma's house” days.

Creative, resourceful, and endlessly generous, Clydene found joy in crafting, sewing, baking, and painting. She had a flair for creating heartfelt gifts, from corn husk dolls to custom quilts, and was known among her family for her legendary crepes. A lover of music, she enjoyed everything from Broadway show tunes and Enya to Johnny Mathis and Michael Bublé. Her summer at 16 acting in Grand Lake was her favorite memory, while acting in the roles as a nun in The Sound of Music and a barmaid in Gold in Them That Hills which was a reflection of her vibrant spirit.

A proud advocate for environmental conservation, Clydene was a champion of recycling, tree planting, bird watching, and beekeeping. She was also a true Harry Potter fan, a faithful NCIS viewer, and a formidable Words with Friends opponent.

Above all, Clydene lived a life of purpose, faith, and love. She touched the lives of so many with her humor, strength, and warmth. Her memory lives on in every wildflower, every bird at the feeder, and every pansy in bloom, her favorite flower. When butterflies and bees pass by, we will think of her and smile, knowing her spirit is near.

Clydene is survived by her children: Erika (Brad) Haas of South Dakota; Aaron Canady and Drew Canady of Iowa; her grandchildren: Tyler Carr of Colorado, Tyler Haas of South Dakota, April (Tristan) Canady of South Dakota, Saige (Austin) Jensen of South Dakota, Kolby Canady of South Dakota, and Rylee, Ryder, and Reese Canady of Iowa; her great-grandchildren: Stetson, Sutton, Annistyn, Sierra, and Paisley; her sisters: Coralee Caldwell of Oklahoma and Linda (Ted) Erskine of South Carolina; as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Lillian; her brothers: Burton “Jimmy” Harms, Jack Harms, and Clyde Blanton; her brother-in-law Jim Caldwell; and sister-in-law Sandy Harms.

Clydene’s legacy is one of compassion, laughter, resilience, and love. She will be missed deeply and remembered always.