Candace Nicole Gust

Candace Gust, known affectionately to those who loved her as "Candi", "Candace Cool", "Candy Apple", or "Girly", passed away on Sunday, January 4, 2026, following a lifelong journey marked by patience, tolerance, a gentle spirit, and a deep love for (and by) her family.
Candace entered the world facing significant health challenges due to congenital myotonic dystrophy. Though her early weeks were spent in an incubator at Hennepin County Medical Center and doctors initially provided a guarded prognosis, Candace defied the odds for decades. Her life was a testament to her resilience and the dedicated care of her family, particularly her mother, Karalyn, and her father, Jack.
Candace grew up amongst a large, supportive extended family. She spent her youth in Apple Valley and Windom, MN, then was blessed with many meaningful years living with her mother and grandparents in Greenbush, MN, surrounded by her many relatives from that area. In this close-knit environment, Candace was the heart of the home, flourishing under the care of her mother and the company of her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Though she faced the heavy loss of her maternal grandparents, four aunts, and eventually her beloved mother in 2024, Candace's spirit remained bright.
Throughout her life, Candace found joy in the simple and predictable. She was a "people person" who loved nothing more than introducing herself to new faces and "people watching" at family gatherings. She had a passion for both live or TV sports (especially the Minnesota Twins), going to movies, laughing at classic cartoons like Looney Tunes and Tom & Jerry, watching TV Game shows, and enjoying a wide range of music-from classic rock like Chicago and the Eagles to the songs of Amy Grant.
Candace enjoyed her routines and favorite things. Whether she was playing BINGO, working on a color-by-number, completing a puzzle, or writing on a whiteboard, she approached her hobbies with focus and delight. She found peace and enjoyment in attending Mass, diligently following along in the songbook, and found comfort in her "favorite shirts" (mostly Twins or Wild) every night selecting a specific one that she required to be next to her for a good night's sleep.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Karalyn Anderson; her maternal grandparents; and four aunts. She is survived by her father and step-mother, Jack and Annette Gust; her sister Stacey Holm; her step-siblings Nicholas Roskam; Brandon Meredith; Brittany Nohava; and a large community of extended family and friends who will forever remember her greeting them with a smile, handshake and warm hello.
Candace's family wishes to thank the staff at Mala Strana for the special care they provided during her final months, and all the family members who ensured Candace always felt included, secure, and loved. She will be missed.
Memorials are preferred to the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation. http://give.myotonic.org/InMemoryofCandace
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 PM, Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at the Church of St. Dominic in Northfield. A celebration of life will follow mass, from 3-6 PM, Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at Bierman, Benson & Langehough Funeral Home in Northfield.
Arrangements are with Bierman, Benson & Langehough Funeral Home & Crematory. www.northfieldfuneral.com