The Winfield, Kansas community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of 43-year-old Candice Marie Bergeson, a devoted mother and compassionate caregiver who died on February 27, 2026, following a tragic rollover crash in southern Kansas.
According to the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office, the accident occurred around 7:30 a.m. on U.S. Highway 160 near 21st Road, between Oxford and Winfield. Authorities reported that Candice was driving an SUV when it rolled over, ejecting her from the vehicle.
Witnesses immediately stopped to render aid until first responders arrived. She was transported to a hospital in Winfield, where she later succumbed to her injuries. Officials have completed their investigation but have not publicly disclosed the cause of the crash.
Candice Bergeson was more than a name in a news report. Born on November 20, 1982, in Evanston, Wyoming, to Eldon and Donna Bergeson, she was the youngest of five daughters. Her early years were filled with the lively influence of her older sisters, who taught her everything from letters and numbers to popular songs of the time. At age three, her family relocated to Dodge City, Kansas, where she attended elementary school and became active in sports.
Her teenage years brought additional moves, first to Beatrice, Nebraska, where she played softball and formed lasting friendships, and later to Winfield during her sophomore year of high school. It was there that she completed her education and ultimately chose to build her life.
After high school, Candice pursued studies at a community college and earned certification as a Nursing Assistant. She dedicated her professional life to caring for others, working in local care facilities where she supported elderly residents and adults with developmental disabilities. Those who knew her professionally often described her as humble, kind-hearted, and deeply attentive to the needs of her patients.
Above all, Candice’s greatest devotion was to her two sons, Kyan Towles and Elijah Bergeson. As a single mother, she poured her heart into raising them, encouraging their involvement in sports and rarely missing a game.
Friends and family recall her enthusiastic presence on the sidelines, proudly cheering as her boys developed into talented athletes and respectful young men. Her love for them defined her life.
Candice is survived by her sons, Kyan and Elijah; her mother, Donna Bergeson-McNeal, and stepfather, Mike McNeal; and her sisters, Kristin Gasser, Bianca Alvarez, and Donelle Bergeson. She reunites in rest with her father, Eldon Bergeson; her sister, Sheryl Bergeson; and her grandparents, Jack and Vita Sutton and Elenor and Louis Bergeson.
A visitation will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Miles Funeral Service in Winfield. A celebration of her life will follow at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 9, 2026, at Grace United Methodist Church, with interment at Highland Cemetery.
In the wake of this devastating loss, Candice’s sisters have organized a GoFundMe fundraiser titled “Supporting Candice Bergeson, Kyan, and Elijah.” The campaign aims to assist with funeral expenses and provide ongoing financial support for her sons during the difficult months ahead. As of this week, the fundraiser has surpassed its initial goal, reflecting the deep love and support surrounding the family.
Candice Bergeson’s passing leaves an immeasurable void in the hearts of her family, friends, colleagues, and especially her two sons. Her legacy lives on in the compassion she showed to others and in the lives of the young men she worked so tirelessly to raise.
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