Douglas “Doug” Candee, 87, Dickinson, died on Sunday, February 9, 2025 at Benedictine Living Community, Dickinson. Doug’s Funeral Service will be at 10 a.m., Friday, February 21, 2025 at Prairie Winds Church, Dickinson with Pastor Tyler Doohen as officiant. Interment will take place at Gladstone Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson.
Born July 11, 1937, Doug Candee was the third son of Harvey Buntz and Katherine (Kary) Candee. Growing up on the fifth-generation Candee homestead south of Gladstone was often a challenge, but he bore his responsibilities to the family very well. And he never forgot his roots. He was preceded in death by brothers Leslie, Gordon, and Lyle and is survived by sister Marjorie and brothers, Mylo and Howard.
Doug died peacefully on February 9, survived by the love of his life Lyla (Eberts) Candee, son Keith, and daughters Debra (Beaudoin), Candis (Wiebracht), and GayLynn (Flocchini). A 1955 graduate of Gladstone High School, Doug married Lyla on June 23, 1956. Married for 49 years, they remained best friends until his death.
His incurable optimism and his ever-present smile and generosity made him a friend to everyone. He made friends effortlessly and was never boastful, and he passed along those gifts to his children. To say that he was a quintessential North Dakotan hardly tells his story. Raising a family of four children with Lyla, Doug went from the Soil Conservation Service where he learned many practical skills which he took into the construction world working for a New England contractor before starting his own Candee Construction Company in 1969. His company consisted of many local equipment operators and administrative people who helped Doug build many significant projects in the 3-state area, including ND Highway 22 and U.S. Highway 16 leading to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota.
Welcoming challenges and adventures, Doug also pursued a gold mine venture in Chile, gold and sulfur production and mining in Death Valley, finally adding bison ranching to his resume in the late 1990’s. He became one of the largest bison producers in North America, only his contemporary Ted Turner was larger. The testimony to his stewardship lay in the many prestigious national awards for his stock.
Doug loved hunting, especially birds, and he was quite a marksman. He could shoot the eye out of a pheasant with a rifle and always knew where the game was since he understood and loved nature like no one else could. The game he brought home was often the fare for dinner and, although everyone thought it was pheasant or grouse, since everything tasted like chicken only Lyla knew what was actually being served. Doug always found a way to be a good provider for his family.
He was a gentle man to his daughters, never raising his hand in anger. Encouraging his children to explore life, he loved them deeply and took pride in their accomplishments. He constantly wanted to teach life’s lessons, since teaching was in his Candee blood. His love for his extended family knew no bounds. He leaves behind 11 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
A wise man once said that a dead person’s epitaph should be like him reviewing his life as if looking into a mirror. Doug would want everyone to know that he never shrunk from a challenge and that he knew he was an imperfect person, as we all are. He loved honestly and deeply and he leaves behind a legacy that spans generations. His true North Dakota pioneer blood will live on in the hearts and minds of those he leaves behind. We will miss your love and friendship. Godspeed, Doug.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Buffalo Foundation.
