Candice Garza

BELT - Candice Paulette (Miller) Garza, 60, died of complications from pulmonary fibrosis Monday, March 19, at a Great Falls hospital.A memorial service is 2 p.m. Saturday at Hillcrest Mausoleum Chapel in Great Falls.Candice died peacefully, with her loving husband, Emilio, and her children at her bedside.She was born Candice Paulette Miller on Feb. 27, 1952, to the now-late Richard Miller and Beverly Ockert. She was raised in the Bear Paw Mountains in northern Idaho, and loved a simple life on the ranch with her siblings, laughter and nature. She also endured significant pains in her early life, and made a vow to break a cycle of child abuse. In this, she was extremely successful. Candice moved to Missoula in high school. She married Russell Smith in 1972, and moved to Great Falls that same year. They had four sons together, Nathan, Kyle, Dustin and Adam. Candice worked at Sweetheart Bakery, and later managed Eddy's Bakery outlet. She was heavily involved in the Parent Teacher Association and Neighborhood Housing Services (now NeighborWorks), advocating for affordable housing to low-income families. She was passionate about providing for the less fortunate.In 1993, she married Emilio Garza of Belt. Candice and Emilio successfully blended a family of 10 children, including Candice's four sons and Emilio's six children, Manuel, Lance, Travis, Skip, Susanne and Trista. She and Emilio also raised several sets of foster children. Candice was deeply proud of the successes of her children, though forever too humble to acknowledge that these successes came in large part from her rearing and love. She is survived by a large family, including husband Emilio Garza; her children and their spouses, Nathan and Amy Smith of Portland, Ore., Kyle Smith and Sarawan Varagoon of Portland, Dustin Smith and Alyson Feigenbaum of Portland, Adam Smith and Brad Cota of Portland, Manuel and Jana Garza of Helena, Lance Garza of Belt, Travis and Chancey Garza of Grand Junction, Colo., Manuel and Jana Garza of Helena, Skip and Julie Garza of Great Falls, Susanne and Kalem Halley of Belt, and Trista and Monte Babcock of Belgrade; brothers Randy Miller of Fairbanks, Alaska, Ron Miller of California, and Rob Miller of Oldtown, Idaho; a sister, Allison Hagman of Priest Lake, Idaho; and great-aunt Charlotte Miller of Great Falls.She was preceded in death by her father, Richard Miller; mother Beverly Ockert; stepfather Blackie Ockert; and brothers Rick Miller and Rusty Miller. For those who knew her, all agree that Candice was at her best when a child needed her - she poured her love into her children, grandchildren and even neighborhood kids who needed her guidance. She was in pure bliss in a huckleberry patch, gave warm hugs often and was nothing short of authentic. She was hopeful to receive a lung transplant to enjoy our time with her loving husband, Emilio. Candice lived life by the verse, It is better to give than to receive. Her last ultimate gift came at the end of her life, through organ donation. In death, Candice donated her healthy kidneys and saved two lives. To honor Candi's life, consider becoming an organ donor. To register, visit LifeCenter Northwest, www.lcnw.org