John Andrew Cander, 82, of rural Humboldt, passed away at Colonial Acres Nursing Home on Thursday, January 8, 2026. He was born in Humboldt, Nebraska on July 26, 1943, to John E. and Berniece (Buman) Cander. John attended Kinter rural school, located just west of the Cander Dairy Farm, for one year before it closed. He completed his education at Humboldt High School graduating with the class of 1961. John attended the University of Nebraska Lincoln Ag College graduating in 1966 with a degree in Dairy Science. It was during those years of commuting to Lincoln that he met fellow commuter Alberta Gerdes, daughter of George and Jean Gerdes, also of Humboldt. Alberta was studying to be a Nurse at Lincoln General. When John proposed to Alberta, he warned her that as a Dairy Farmer’s Wife there would be no vacations. Despite that she said “yes” and the couple was married in 1967 at the United Methodist Church in Humboldt. True to his words there were no vacations.
There was a slight glitch in the milking pattern when John had to be at the Humboldt Hospital at 9:30 a.m. on July 20, 1973, for the birth of their daughter Susanne. Thankfully, Cander grandparents saved the day. A son, Thomas John, was born March 15,1976 at 11:30, a much more convenient time, to complete the family circle.
The Cander Dairy started in 1949 and was one of the first Grade A dairies in Richardson County and received many production awards throughout the years. John’s father, John E., started the herd with Holstein cows, and John A. slowly worked Brown Swiss into the herd, disguising them as “4-H projects”, which slowly grew to an all-Brown Swiss herd. John retired from the Dairy in 2009 and maintained a small hobby herd. This small herd of Mati and Andy Stalder’s 4-H calves somehow became Grandpa John’s mature cows. Many people also enjoyed the spoils of this herd as there was milk in jugs for a small donation. John was also known as the pumpkin man. In the mid 1990’s John began planting pumpkins for all to enjoy. This increased over the years as one of his retirement hobbies and thoroughly enjoyed people coming to the farm to pick up pumpkins. They were either already washed and ready to pick up, or you could take a ride to one of the many pumpkin patches with him and Abe, the yellow lab. John delivered many pumpkins to Colonial Acres Nursing Home, United Methodist Church, businesses, and people. When asked how much he wanted his words were “however much you think is fair”.
John was also a very devoted husband. In 1994, Alberta was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, and John took complete care of her. They could be seen going out for a ride and stopping for cappuccino and ice cream. John was a very very independent individual, and so, took care of Alberta by himself. To further extenuate his dedication, he milked morning and night for 47 years. John was a member of the Humboldt United Methodist Church, Humboldt Rural Fire Board, and a proud member of the Richardson County Ag Society. He took great pride in the building and the grounds. John also spent many years as the official “clean-up” man for 4-H and County Fair. The John Deere 4020 could be seen loading out manure from the fairgrounds. Mati and Andy knew the last Richardson County Fair ride was home on the 4020 with Grandpa on Sunday after the barns were cleaned.
John had a stroke on September 10, 2020, and entered Colonial Acres Nursing Home in Humboldt. There he enjoyed the days with the wonderful staff. John passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Colonial Acres having reached the earthly age of eighty-two years, five months, and thirty days.
He is preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law George and Jean Gerdes, wife Alberta Cander, sisters: Betty McKinze, Jeanette (John) Apton, nephew Steven Gerdes, and brothers-in-law: Leland Gerdes, Tony Tesar, and Bill Amos.
John is survived by his daughter Susanne Jean (Cander) Stalder and husband Aaron of Humboldt, son Thomas John and wife Kari of Hickory, NC; grandchildren: Matilyn and Andrew Stalder of Lincoln, grand dogs Rooster and Goose of Hickory, NC; sister Carolyn (Cander) Amos of Odenton; nephew Jeff Amos of Maryland, and niece Kay Amos of Washington D.C., sister-in-law Peggy Tesar of Humboldt, brother-in-law David Whitney of Manhattan, KS; nephews: Terry Whitney of IL; Charles Gerdes and family of Missouri, and niece Julie Gerdes and family of Missouri.
A Celebration of John’s Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the United Methodist Church in Humboldt, Nebraska with Pastor Lori Stevens officiating. A livestream broadcast of John’s services will be available on the Humboldt United Methodist Church Face Book page.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Friday, February 6, 2026, at the Wherry Mortuary, 207 N. Nemaha Street in Humboldt. Family will greet friends from 6-8 p.m. at the mortuary.
Inurnment will be at the Humboldt Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Humboldt Rural Fire Department or Humboldt United Methodist Church.
Condolences can be shared online at www.wherrymortuary.com
Services entrusted to Wherry Mortuary-207 N. Nemaha St-Humboldt, NE 68376 (402) 862-2915
