Douglas Lee Canode of Rapid City

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RAPID CITY — Douglas Lee Canode was born January 12, 1937 in Highmore, the 4th son of Ernest and Leona (Price) Canode. Doug was very busy growing up in Highmore. He cared for the family horse, delivered ice blocks and worked in his mother’s cafe. Most of all he loved working on the Cowan ranch, being a cowboy. Doug graduated from Highmore high school in 1955.


Shortly after graduation, Doug married Kay Schroeder. Doug and Kay moved to Dallas, Texas, where their three children, Rick, Rebecca and Roberta were born. Doug worked at Aero Instruments. Doug worked on refurbishing WWII airplane instruments so they could be used again. He often spoke about the gyroscope and how he loved working with that. In 1960, Doug & Kay moved back to South Dakota, living in Pierre, Highmore & and settling in Huron.

Doug’s line of work included working on the Big Bend dam, being a mechanic, working at Armours packing plant, crane & dragline operator for Ferris Crane Service & eventually purchasing a motorcycle shop-Doug’s Cycle & Service.  
On January 4, 1974, at Chapel in the Hills, Doug married the love of his life, Barb (Peskey) Wells. This union added two more children to the family. Doug adopted Barb’s children, Chad and Kristi.


Doug & Barb moved to Gladstone, N.D., in 1975. Doug worked for Dakota Dragline, Happy Rock Hole Plugging and Candee Construction. Doug also wore the hats of Mayor of Gladstone, N.D., and volunteer fireman in both Huron and Gladstone, N.D.


In 1994, Doug had the opportunity to work at Big Sky Resort in Montana. That was an easy decision as Doug and Barb loved the mountains. Doug worked in the vehicle maintenance division. The biggest part of his job was helping to create new ski runs and plowing snow. Doug loved the big machinery and was a very good heavy equipment operator. This was Doug’s favorite job! He retired in 2004.


During retirement, Doug found a new hobby. He could be found in his shop making toy boxes, baby doll cradles, time out benches, book cases, rocking horses, etc. for the grandkids and others. Doug also worked on the motorcycles and 4 wheelers that kept accumulating.


Doug enjoyed spending time with all of his kids and grandkids. You could find him at motorcycle races, at Lake Sakakawea, baseball games, softball games, skiing and hunting. Camping and 4 wheeling in the mountains were his favorite thing to do. The trails Doug took us on were not the best, however, he thought taking a risk was an adventure.


Doug never met a person he couldn’t talk to. He has made many friends across many states. Doug and Barb loved to travel and visit places where there was sand and water. One of his favorite places was Aruba.
In August of 2021, Doug and Barb retired to the Black Hills of S.D. Doug was able to enjoy his new home for only a few short months. Doug passed away four months to the date of receiving his cancer diagnosis, at the Hospice House in Rapid City.


Grateful for having shared Doug’s adventures in life are his wife, Barb of 48 years; his children, Rick (Linda) Canode of Ottumwa, Iowa, Rebecca Caffee of Custer, Roberta (Jeff) Roller of Rapid City, Chad (Lynette) Canode of Dickinson, N.D., and Kristi (Jeff) Bell of Belgrade, Mont.
Doug will be missed by his grandchildren, Blake, Ryan, Matt, Destiny, Jesse, Dylan, Chase, Brooke & Stara; 10 great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.


Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Leona Canode; brothers, Duane, Darrel and Dennis; sister-in-laws, Lou Canode and Mary Canode; as well as in-laws, Armand and Lenora Peskey.


Visitation will take place Saturday from 12 to 1 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 1 p.m., at Kirk Funeral Home in Rapid City.