Obituary of Candace Dennis

Candace Jane (Ahmann) Dennis, “Candi,” died August 10, 2010. Candi was born on December 28, 1946 to John and Patsy “Pat” Hansen, was adopted by Maurel and Ruby Ohman, and grew up in Clayton, CA, where she excelled at athletics and academics. She later graduated from Yankton College in Yankton, SD, where she married Leo Ahmann. After many years in the Midwest as a teacher, Candi and family moved to Benson, AZ in 1986 and she began work as a probation officer, first in Cochise County and later in Pinal and Maricopa Counties. She was a highly respected and professional officer, and in both careers she was devoted to her work and to helping her students and probationers. In 1990 Candi was reunited with her birth mother, Pat. In 2000 she married Patrick Dennis, and after a brief time apart she remarried Patrick on July 9, 2010. All along she was passionate about horses, read voraciously, golfed enthusiastically, told jokes poorly, and always had love and room in her heart for stray animals – and people. Candi is preceded in death by John Hansen and Maurel and Ruby Ohman, and by brothers Carl Ohman and Michael Hansen and sisters Barbara and Ruth Ann Hansen. She is survived by Pat Hansen of Tucson, Patrick Dennis of Gilbert, children Christine (Charlie) Perham of Tucson and Matthew (Anne) Ahmann of Des Moines, IA, and four grandchildren: Alex Leighton, Ryan Perham, and Isabel and Grace Ahmann. She is also survived by stepsons Patrick (Angie) Dennis II of Philadelphia and Sean (Joy) Dennis of Lee’s Summit, MO and four step-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held in the chapel of Angel Valley Funeral Home, 2545 N Tucson, in Tucson on August 19, at 10:30AM. Donations in lieu of flowers may be directed to: Hope Animal Shelter 2011 E. 12th Street Tucson, AZ 85719 or the SPCA of Arizona, Inc. 220 E. Duval Road Green Valley, AZ 85614.