Candice Miller remembered as “soul and sound” of valley | Group

When the news of the death of Candice Miller Kwiatkowski on Tuesday, the Teton Valley community received the impossible news with shock and sadness.

“It’s very difficult for me to put into words how much I’ll miss Candice,” said Brice Nelson, owner of the Knotty Pine Supper Club in Victor, a venue that gave Candice and her sister Karee Miller Jaeger one of their first platforms for performance . “The Miller Sisters are the most successful musical act we have. Candice and Karee are the sound and soul of everything that defines Teton Valley. They are our heartbeat. I will be for the Open Mic Nights and Nightly Years Fun forever grateful and music. Candice Miller was a wonderful musician and a beautiful person. “

Her sister Karee confirmed her death at Jackson Lake early Tuesday morning, and Grand Teton National Park issued an official press release later that day. Candice died by suicide, Coroner Brent Blue of Teton County, Wyoming, said Tuesday. An investigation is in progress.

Karee said Tuesday that the last time she texted her sister was 2:57 p.m. on Monday. It was a picture of an old boom box and she wrote to Candice that Kid Rock’s All Summer Long was on. Candice wrote back that the picture reminded her of Karee’s college days in St. Cloud, MN. Karee responded by sending her a video of the song.

“And that was the last I heard from her,” said Karee.

Candice was part of the two sisters duo known as The Miller Sisters. Originally from the small town of Waseca, MN, Candice grew into more than a stage act in the Teton Valley community that she called her home.

“Candice Miller came to teach music at Teton Valley Community School in the spring of 2016, meeting with preschoolers through seventh grade. The children looked forward to their arrival. She always came with lots of instruments, bright outfits and her big smile, ”said Katie Cisco, a TVCS kindergarten teacher. “Candice’s musical knowledge went deep into musical family roots, and her gentle and welcoming presence drew all children into the world of music and the magical way they felt as soon as it helped them discover that they could have a piece of it, too . She always offered her time, her knowledge and her musical equipment wherever she saw a possible need. She gave a lot. A humble, calm and big heart. “??

Pam Walker, executive director of the Teton Valley Education Foundation, recalled Candice’s commitment to education.

“I first met Candice Miller as a volunteer for the Teton Valley Education Foundation’s annual hearing and vision screening at Victor Elementary,” said Walker. “She came in with that brightly colored trucker hat, sat in that tiny children’s chair less than a foot off the floor – at the same height as the students – and took them through a quick eye exam. She was amazing and so caring. “

Walker said Candice’s vision is to raise money for new play equipment.

“She wanted our students to have more swings, more slides, and better equipment,” said Walker. “We discussed a number of fundraising opportunities, including her and her sister playing Karee in our Ride and Dine fundraiser. She was very persistent and I told her that once the bond was decided we would look into it. Linda Reynaud just told me that she donated clothes racks to the middle school to hang choir robes on. She always wanted to help, even though she had a very busy life. She was such a ray of hope for our schools and our valley. “

The youngest of eight children, Candice grew up on a farm in southern Minnesota and was always surrounded by music. Her father played guitar and violin and sang while her mother introduced her to music lessons. The sisters sang in choirs through school and church.

As aspiring, naturally gifted singers, her talent was soon recognized and people began asking her to play at their weddings and funerals. When her mother realized that her daughters had an event to sing almost every week, she encouraged her to pursue her musical dream as a career.

The two sisters flew to Nashville and spent several years there before traveling west to San Francisco and Jackson. From Wyoming, their next destination was Reno, NV, and after a year there, they traveled to Alaska in 2003. In 2004 they returned to the Jackson area. Karee settled in Jackson and Candice in Victor, where she lived with her husband and daughter Mary Jane.

Candice played guitar and banjo and her music has been described as “country soul” with a deep and captivating sound that mixed folk influences with a bit of rock edge.

In addition to their duo Miller Sisters, they perform with the five-piece country rock band Bootleg Flyer and the eight-piece rock band Mandatory Air. “We’re kind of a wedding dance band,” Candice said in a 2014 interview when describing Mandatory Air.

One of Candice’s last appearances was on Music on Main in July.

“As soon as they got off the stage, we spoke to them about booking them to make headlines again on Mandatory Air next year,” said Lauren Bennett, executive director of the Teton Valley Foundation. “They had such a nice way to interact with the crowd and it was clear to see how much the community loved both of them.”

The Silver Dollar Bar, Roadhouse Q, Handle Bar, and Mangy Moose in Jackson, and the Trap Bar, Wildwood Room, Linn Canyon Ranch, and Teton Springs Resort on this side of the pass are just a few of the places Candice played with her sister. Staying true to their gospel roots, they also led the children’s choir at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Driggs.

“Candice was a person who loved their faith,” said Jennifer Blaire, a Good Shepherd ward member. “When Candice was singing in church, she brought the house down. Her voice and belief have inspired us all. I met Candice through Church and our friendship grew as my daughter’s and I stepped into her brilliant light. Candice was one of the few people whose beliefs were selfless, authentic and raw, and she used her music to inspire worship and goodness in our valley and in our hearts. ”

A meeting was held at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Driggs on Tuesday, July 24th at 6:00 pm. A service in the Catholic Church of the Good Shepherd is planned for this Friday, July 27th at 10 a.m. All are welcome.

Adam Williamson, of the Mental Health Coalition, offered condolences to Miller’s family and the entire community. The Mental Health Coalition is offering free no-questions-asked counseling services, Williamson told Teton Valley News Tuesday. Providers are listed at tetonvalleymentalhealth.com.

“We want to support and love and encourage their family and friends and give them hope and connect people with the resources they need,” said Williamson.

Julia Tellman and Hope Strong contributed to this report.