Don Canham
January 8, 1936 ~ March 7, 2013
Served by: Luce, Luze & Reck Funeral Homes
Donovan ?Don? Dean Canham, 77, of Rockham, died Thursday, March 7 at the Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital after valiantly fighting idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Celebration of life service will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 11 at the United Methodist Church in Miller. Visitation will be Sunday, March 10 from 4-6 p.m. with a 6 p.m. prayer service all at Rembold Funeral Home in St. Lawrence. Burial will be at G.A.R. Cemetery.
Don was born January 8, 1936, at Mission Hill, South Dakota to John and Isidean (Mayden) Canham. Shortly thereafter they moved to Hand County where he attended school.
On March 3, 1956, he married Joan Margaret Roberts. Don's focus of life was always family. He was blessed with four children, Suzan (Keith) Eichler, Aberdeen, SD, Stephen (Barb Tauer) Canham, Chaska, MN, Andrew (Julie Bawdon) Canham, Miller, SD and Jeffrey (Ron Wold) Canham, Minneapolis, MN; seven grandchildren, Scott (Julie Schanzenbach) Canham, Cameron (Teah Sweeney) Eichler, Fallon (Michael) Helm, Alora Campbell, Jesse Weinrich, Riley Canham, Carter Canham and Morgan Eichler; seven great-grandchildren; brother, William (Ellen) Canham, Rockham, SD; brother-in-law Wilbur Hurd, St. Lawrence, SD; niece Ann (David) Hughes, Catford, England; All of whom are grateful for the memories of times spent with him.
Don lived his life in Hand County, successfully navigating the changing times in agriculture. He may have been a man of few words but the gleam in his eye, smile on his face and willingness to lend a helping hand connected with many. Passionate about farming and ranching, he was often found checking his crops after a rain, sorting his cattle or working in his shop on a new project.
Don also enjoyed traveling to England and Ireland visiting Joan's family and friends. In addition to international travels he enjoyed camping both in South Dakota and surrounding states. He never turned down an opportunity to play a hand of cards at the kitchen or campsite table. He enjoyed visiting with his neighbors and attending many lively Rook card parties. Pheasant season was a highlight every year as many friends and family came back to hunt.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John & Isidean Canham; father & mother-in-law William & Ann Roberts; sister, Darlene Hurd; sister in-law and brother in-law, Dan and Elizabeth Bailey and one nephew, John William Canham.
Don's family wishes to express their thanks and appreciation to the staff at Avera Hand County Hospital in Miller for their support and compassionate care of our loved one.
Don was born January 8, 1936, at Mission Hill, South Dakota to John and Isidean (Mayden) Canham. Shortly thereafter they moved to Hand County where he attended school.
On March 3, 1956, he married Joan Margaret Roberts. Don's focus of life was always family. He was blessed with four children, Suzan (Keith) Eichler, Aberdeen, SD, Stephen (Barb Tauer) Canham, Chaska, MN, Andrew (Julie Bawdon) Canham, Miller, SD and Jeffrey (Ron Wold) Canham, Minneapolis, MN; seven grandchildren, Scott (Julie Schanzenbach) Canham, Cameron (Teah Sweeney) Eichler, Fallon (Michael) Helm, Alora Campbell, Jesse Weinrich, Riley Canham, Carter Canham and Morgan Eichler; seven great-grandchildren; brother, William (Ellen) Canham, Rockham, SD; brother-in-law Wilbur Hurd, St. Lawrence, SD; niece Ann (David) Hughes, Catford, England; All of whom are grateful for the memories of times spent with him.
Don lived his life in Hand County, successfully navigating the changing times in agriculture. He may have been a man of few words but the gleam in his eye, smile on his face and willingness to lend a helping hand connected with many. Passionate about farming and ranching, he was often found checking his crops after a rain, sorting his cattle or working in his shop on a new project.
Don also enjoyed traveling to England and Ireland visiting Joan's family and friends. In addition to international travels he enjoyed camping both in South Dakota and surrounding states. He never turned down an opportunity to play a hand of cards at the kitchen or campsite table. He enjoyed visiting with his neighbors and attending many lively Rook card parties. Pheasant season was a highlight every year as many friends and family came back to hunt.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John & Isidean Canham; father & mother-in-law William & Ann Roberts; sister, Darlene Hurd; sister in-law and brother in-law, Dan and Elizabeth Bailey and one nephew, John William Canham.
Don's family wishes to express their thanks and appreciation to the staff at Avera Hand County Hospital in Miller for their support and compassionate care of our loved one.
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So sorry to hear about your loss.
Adam, Robin, Kaitlin, and Erin
Dear Joan and Family, Hope you know how much we care about all of you. Want to tell you how shocked we were in your loss. We are sooo glad we got to see you in the hospital and Del is so thankful for the visit he and Don had that day. Love and God Bless to each of you.
Don, we will certainly miss your ‘funny’ jokes and your expertise with a road atlas. Dave will miss working cows and trying not to get in your way. May you find a few more acres to cultivate in the great farm in the sky.
I’m sorry for your loss Joan. May you find peace when remembering his memory.
Joan and family – I was sorry to learn of Don’s passing. I wish you had been able to follow through with your move. I was glad to know you had been able to celebrate your anniversary even if it was in the hospital. I am unable to attend the prayer or funeral service but know my thoughts and prayers are with you. Doris
Joan, Bill and families. I was so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. It is so very hard to say good bye to people we love. It was always so good to see Don when he came to Omaha. One of my way back memories of Don is when you guys lived in the garage on Uncle Johnnie’s and Aunt Isidean’s farm. I was so glad we were able to talk in January. Please know that you are all in my heart as you go through this sad time. Love, Judy and Ken Finch
Joan, Suzan, Stephen, Andrew, Jeff and families – (sigh) I wish I could give you all a group hug. Our lives are intricately interwoven and our memories many and cherished. I have only fond memories of Don – his quick, mischievous smile, the gleam in his eye:) He touched many and will be missed by us all. My love and prayers are with you. Mardelle (and Randy, too)
Jeff, so sorry to hear about your dad. I am looking at the obituary now and what a resemblance. Wishing you fond memories and peace. Losing your parents is very difficult.
With Sympathy
Jeff, Rameen and Stella too…
Knowing his son Jeff, I’m sure Don was a terrific inspiration to his family and all he knew as friends.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May your family, friends and thoughts of Don comfort you and give you strength!
Suzan and family,
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of loss. May God’s presence surround you and comfort you.
Dear Mrs. Canham, Susan, and the rest of the family, I just read about the loss of Don in the Miller Press and wanted to let you know how sorry I am for your loss. I remember you all as such a wonderful family and I can still picture his smile, the twinkle in his eyes that went with it, and his humor, and his love for his family. May your memories carry you through this difficult time. God Bless.
Audrey Porter
May your beloved father, Don, rest in peace. We are keeping you all in prayer. Jeff, you look so much like your dad it’s amazing. I love his eyes, they are very kind. God bless…
A lovely man who will be sorely missed by family and friends.
Just found this today thinking of my mum Maureen Munday Cissie Chambers daughter and sister to Ann Roberts when she was alive when she went to visit Don and Joan they gave her a wonderful time and there visits over here ,so sorry to hear of Dons passing,i had try to make contact with you all and wider family without any joy but God Bless You All