Carla A. McCandless, age 71, of Washington, Iowa, died Tuesday, January 28, 2020, at the Washington County Hospital following a sudden illness.

Celebration of life services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 3, 2020, at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home in Washington with Pastor Doug Tinnes officiating. Calling hours will begin noon Sunday, February 2nd, at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 2:00 – 4:00 Sunday afternoon. Interment will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington. Memorials have been established for the Washington County Ambulance. Online condolences may be sent for Carla's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com .

Carla was born January 16, 1949, in Washington, Iowa, the daughter of Carl James and Mildred Wilma (Kurtz) Nelson. She attended Walnut Country School and graduated from Washington High School in 1967. Carla was united in marriage to Michael "Mike" McCandless on February 22, 1970, in Washington, Iowa.

Carla was a life long resident of Washington, Iowa. She was employed at the Washington County Hospital for 37 years where she worked in food service and housekeeping. Carla was a member of the Good Neighbor Fellowship Church in Keota, Iowa. She was a member of the Corn Country Cruisers Car Club, American Legion Auxiliary Post 29, National Guard Auxiliary, and volunteered at the Washington County Hospital Gift Shop.

She is survived by her husband Mike McCandless of Washington, Iowa; daughter Julie (Chris) Nelson of Spokane Valley, Washington; daughter, Angie (Brandon) Brock of Marion, Iowa; three grandchildren: Nathan Brock, Caleb Brock and Kaia Nelson; sister, Donna Mae Cline of Washington, Iowa; sister, Dorothy (Ron) Allison of Washington, Iowa; as well several nieces and nephews.

Carla was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Richard "Dick" Nelson; and two sisters, Sevilla Bowman and Sandra Hebblen.