Candis Mae Anhalt

Candis Mae (Odom) Anhalt, 63, of Fruita, Colorado, died unexpectedly by natural causes early Friday afternoon, September 19, 2025, at her cherished summer cabin nestled in the mountains near Brian Head, Utah.

Candis, known by her friends and family as Candy, was born on November 25, 1961, in Las Vegas, Nevada, the daughter of Samuel Cleveland and Delores Dean (Smith) Odom. Candis was baptized at age 9 at the Gateway Baptist Church in Las Vegas. She attended grade school in Las Vegas and earned her High School Diploma from Rancho High School in North Las Vegas, Nevada. In 1986, after earning her Associate of Applied Science degree in Computation and Information Technology from Clark County Community College, she operated the accounting system mainframe computer at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

On June 7, 1986, Candis was united in marriage to USAF Captain David A. Anhalt at St. Viator’s Catholic Church in Las Vegas. Candy supported her husband and their four children on many military moves across the United States and Canada until David retired from the Air Force as a full colonel in 2004. Shortly thereafter, Candy and David moved their family to Centreville, VA and resided there until their children graduated from high school and college.

While Candy and David were courting, she was the head manager of a Taco Bell restaurant in Las Vegas. She prepared free tacos for her boyfriend whenever he stopped by. Shortly after their marriage, the couple moved to the Washington, DC area where Candy worked at the headquarters of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). After the birth of her first child in 1990, Candy left the ATF and excelled as a full-time mother to baby Alayna followed by Myles, Laura, and Paul. Once the children were in school, Candy joined the Long & Foster Real Estate Company in Centreville, VA where she became a capable rental home manager and a realtor helping military families buy and sell homes.

Candy loved gardening. She loved sports: roller skating, softball, tennis, bowling (one time, six strikes in a row!), pickleball, camping, hiking, and riding her Honda Talon through the mountain trails. Candy excelled as a compassionate and nurturing mother who contributed to community and school activities on behalf of her four fledglings as well as her children’s friends at school. Candy shared her love of arts and crafts with her daughter Alayna who pursues these passions today. All of her children learned to cook so well because she included them in the kitchen from the first day they could hold a measuring cup. Paul wrote back from college, “Hey, I just wanted to let you know how thankful I am that you raised me so well. I just finished making some beef stir-fry the way you made it, and I just realized that all of this knowledge and ability to be an independent person are from you.” Myles learned from his mom how to bake cheesecakes for his friends. Candy was a girl scout leader, a cub scout leader, and an elementary reading volunteer. Candy took over as President of the Westfield High School Rowing Team (boasting over 100 high school athletes), responsible for herding all the cats: budget preparation, fund raising, purchasing new rowing shells, hiring coaches, and ensuring full assignment of the many volunteers running the regattas. Her two youngest children rowed at the collegiate level. Laura won a full ride athletic scholarship to Boston University. She was captain of her Division I collegiate team and won many races.

Her depth of love extended to nieces and nephews. She opened her home to her third-grade nieces Megan and Melissa for six months when they needed it.

After the couple retired in 2023, they moved to Fruita, CO to be closer to Candy’s family and to their cherished summer cabin on the shore of a high mountain trout lake nestled in the forested meadows surrounding the Cedar Breaks National Park. It was at this cabin, shortly after noontime, on a bright, shiny day that the Lord suddenly beaconed Candis to her heavenly abode.

She is survived by her husband, David Anhalt of Fruita, Colorado and their four children and significant others: Alayna R. Anhalt and her fiancé Amir Tabaian of Cambridge, Massachusetts; Navy Petty Officer First Class Myles M. Anhalt and wife Amber L. Yenter-Anhalt of Moncks Corner, South Carolina; Laura E. Anhalt of Cambridge, Massachusetts; and youngest son Paul A. Anhalt of North Salt Lake, Utah. Candy is survived by four brothers and one sister: Mark (Tina) Odom of Imlay, NV; Steve Odom of Las Vegas, NV; Leslie Odom of Las Vegas, NV; Daniel (Debbie) Odom of Las Vegas, NV; and Cindy (David) Walters of Logandale, NV. Candy is preceded in death by her parents, Samuel Cleveland Odom, Delores Dean Milavec, and stepfather Frank Milavec.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at 10 am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 790 26 1/2 Rd, Grand Junction, CO, with Father Abraham Eigbegbea presiding. Family and friends are invited to the visitation on Monday afternoon, September 29, from 3 pm to 7 pm at the Callahan-Edfast Mortuary, 2515 Patterson Rd, Grand Junction, CO where there will be a time of sharing. An additional visitation period will also be held on Tuesday, 30 September, from 9 am to 10 am in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church prior to funeral services.

Candy’s children invite all friends and family to a robust Celebration of Life after the funeral beginning at 1 pm on Tuesday, 30 September and lasting for the rest of the day and night at the home of David & Candy Anhalt in Fruita, CO. Map and directions will be supplied at the funeral.

Our wife, mother, sister, aunt and dear friend will be deeply missed, and by all those she touched in her neighborhoods, communities, activities, and families across the country.