Kandus Schalter born February 8, 1923, known to all as Kandy, passed away in her home, Saturday April 28, 2018 at the age of 95.
Known for her sense of humor and her spirit of independence and persistence Kandy was a treasured and well-loved member of the Gaylord Community. She was an active woman and a hard worker for all the days of her life. She was a WAVE during WWII, a small business partner and owner as well a wife and mother during the middle years of her life and in retirement she an avid community volunteer.
She and husband Joe were co-owners of Nor-Echo Glass and the Nor-Echo Motel on M27 for 30 years. Kandy ran the motel and was the bookkeeper for the Glass business. During that time, Kandy helped found the Gaylord Zonta Club, a women’s’ empowerment group. It was also during this period of her life that Kandy learned to ski. She and Joe took many trips out West, but Silvan Knob was ‘home’. She skied until she was 80 and often said she felt she had hung up her skies a bit too soon.
We are thankful that for Kandy the last several years of her life were truly blessed, these were the golden years. Thanks to her great-niece Karen, Kandy was recognized at many services as a WWII vet, her proudest accomplishment. She was honored at several banquets, was given a ‘challenge coin’ from the Gaylord Regional Airport, was interviewed on TV and was taken on a trip to Washington DC to see the WWII memorial, a dream of hers. Most recently she was honored as a ‘Women Making History’ by the American Association of University Women Gaylord Area Branch. It was a sellout crowd and she was pleased to have ‘packed them in’.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Joseph Schalter. She is survived by her much-loved son, Richard Schalter of Stillwater Minnesota and daughter-in-law Kathy. She was the proud Grandmother of 4 grandchildren, Tyler Schalter (Kelly) Lindsay Porter (Jason), R. Adam Schalter (Stanzi) and Kellen Schalter, and of 6 great-grandchildren, Aria, Dominic and Luisa (Tyler) and Elijah, Gabriel and Malachi (Lindsay). She will be missed by many but of special note is her niece Tammy Strong (Jamie) of Birmingham Alabama and her ‘special angel’ great-niece Karen Noble of Michigan (Terry).
A memorial service will be held on Sunday May 6 at 1:00 pm at First United Methodist Church, 215 South Center, Gaylord MI 49735. There will be a luncheon immediately following the service. There will be no visitation.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Kandy’s name to the Veterans of Foreign Wars at WWW.VFW.org by clicking Donate or to the First United Methodist Church Food Pantry.
Arrangements were entrusted to Nelson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, PO Box 1548, Gaylord MI 49734
6 comments on “Kandus Schalter”
Sounds like you had a very special aunt. RIP
Rich and family,
I am so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. What a wonderful lady she was! My thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through this difficult time. May the many treasured memories you have of this beautiful woman comfort you and bring you peace. Her smile and loving nature will always be remembered.
I was a waitress in Gaylord for thirty years and waited on this wonderful woman any times. She was a kind wonderful woman. I know she was loved.
Our little Spitfire will long be remembered for saluting two Generals upon receiving her Quilt of Valor, at the airport. We all love you Kandus! The quilters group
Kandus was a charter member of Zonta. We were so glad to see her at our 40th anniversary in 2016.
Saw her for the last time when she received the AAUW Woman Making History Award.
So glad that she received this before she died. She was remarkable and deserving of this
recognition. She will be missed. Sending thoughts and sympathy to all the family.
Suzanne Whyte
Zonta Club of Gaylord Area
I knew Kandus from her hospital visits, she was always happy, always smiling, very personable, everyone loved her. Such a lovely lady who will be deeply missed, my prayers and sympathy to everyone who loved her.