Kandie (Cunningham) Lewis

Kandie Lewis, 68, longtime Ogallala resident, died Monday, November 28, 2016, in the Ogallala Community Hospital. 

Kandie was born in North Platte on June 12, 1948 to John Lloyd and Jacqueline R. (Hahn) Cunningham. She grew up on the family farm near Brule. Kandie was the second born of three sisters and two brothers. She attended District 48 School until the 8th grade, then attended Ogallala High School graduating in 1966.

Kandie attended Black Hills State in Spearfish, SD, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Education. She pursued more education and received her Master's degree in School Counseling from Chadron State College in 2007.

Kandie was a rodeo organist and traveled to many rodeos throughout Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota, Wyoming and Colorado. It was on this rodeo trail where she met the love of her life, Gary Lewis, at a rodeo in Johnstown, NE, in 1967. Gary was a rodeo clown and bullfighter. Their relationship grew and they were married on October 26, 1968. She taught physical education in Timberlake, SD,. and they resided at the teacherage in Trail City, SD where Gary taught school.

In 1972, they moved to Ogallala to manage and eventually purchase Cactus Jack's Western Wear. Kandie taught physical education at St. Luke's Catholic School and Arthur County Public School. She opened her own gymnastics school in Ogallala and taught gymnastics to many kids within the community and surrounding areas.

God blessed Kandie and Gary with a daughter Jacque Mae on November 29, 1976.

In 1999, Kandie and Gary moved to Phoenix, AZ,where they together operated a trailer sale business. However, with the birth of their first and only grandson (Gauge Lewis McMcBride) in 2001, they quickly moved back to Ogallala to watch him and eventually their granddaughter (Carsyn Mae McBride) grow.

While pursuing her master's degree, Kandie was the guidance counselor and taught at Arthur County Schools for eleven more years before finishing out her career at South Platte Public Schools. Through the years, she touched the lives of countless students. Kandie's love of children and teaching was always her passion.

Her family was undoubtedly a top priority in her life. Rodeo was a way of life for both Kandie and Gary that they enjoyed all through their married years. Her love of rodeo transpired into the life of their daughter. Kandie cherished the countless moments of traveling to rodeos as a family. This tradition continued into the next generation and she rarely missed an opportunity to support Jacque, her husband Cooper, and their two children, Gauge and Carsyn, in their rodeo and sports successes.

Kandie was a member of St. Lukes Catholic Church.

Kandie was preceded in death by her father Lloyd Cunningham.

Survivors include her husband of 48 years, Gary Lewis and her mother Jackie Cunningham, both of Ogallala; one daughter Jacque (husband Cooper) McBride of Kearney; two sisters: Glenna (Ed) Russell of Brighton, Colo. and Roxi (Paul) Brockopp of ParkerCO; two brothers: Kem (Joy) Cunningham of Fresno, Cal. and Mick (Cindy) Turco of Key West, Flo.;one grandson Gauge and one granddaughter Carsyn; sisters-in-law Vicky (Pat) Hall, Becky (Ron) Thompson, Patty (Darwin) Hauser; and 13 nieces and nephews and their families.

Family and friends may pay their respects and sign the Register Book in Draucker Funeral Home on Friday, Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The casket will be closed.   The Rosary and Wake Service is Sunday at 5 p.m. in St. Lukes Catholic Church. Mass of the Christian Burial will be Monday, Dec. 5, at 10 a.m. in St. Lukes Catholic Church with Rev. Bryan Ernest the Celebrant.  Burial will follow in the Ogallala Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to Online condolences may be sent to webmaster@drauckerfh.com.  The Service will be live streamed for those unable to attend.  Memorials have been established to the Arthur County Schools and the South Platte Schools, in her memory.    Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is entrusted with the arrangements.

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