Jess Kanode 98, Sundance, died Thursday, April 30 at the Sundance Assisted Care Center after a short illness.

Visitation will be from 4-7 P.M., Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at Fidler-Roberts & Isburg Funeral Chapel in Sundance.

Funeral services will be held at Sundance United Methodist Church on Wednesday, May 6 at 2:00 p.m. with Reverends Gene Hagerman and Dave Moorman officiating. Burial will be at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Sundance.

Memorials have been established for Crook County EMS, Sundance United Methodist Church and Treasured Memories Hospice.

Jess was born April 25, 1911 at Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania, to Cora Feather Kanode and John Ober Kanode. He attended school at Martinsburg, Pennsylvania, graduating from high school in 1929. In 1931 he traveled to Crook County on a motorcycle and lived the remainder of his life in the west he loved. June 15, 1935 he married Pauline O. Somers whom he met while employed at the Sisson and Somers ranches near Moorcroft. To this union four children were born, Blanche, Jerry, Jean and Walter. Mrs. Kanode passed away at an early age in June 1946. Jess married Pauline Dillon on May 22, 1949 and two more children joined the family, Claudette and Floyd. Jess moved from the ranch to Sundance and worked for the U. S. Forest Service beginning in 1955 and retiring in 1981. After retirement he worked for the Crook County Weed & Pest during the summers.
He will be remembered by many as the man who rode his bicycle to the top of Rupe Hill one day and walked 5 miles the next day. He loved to garden and share his harvest with others. He continued to further his love of Harley Davidson motorcycles and sold his last motorcycle when he was in his early 80's. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a member of the Odd Fellows, Sundance Rod & Gun Club, Sundance United Methodist Church and the National Rifle Association.
Dearly loved and cherished, he is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Pauline of Sundance, his six children, Blanche (and Nick) Conom of Hudson, Wisconsin, Jerry (and Sharon) Kanode, Jean (and Mike) Madden, Walter (and Betty Kanode), all of Moorcroft, Claudette (and Terry) Wham of Denver, and Floyd (and Janet) Kanode of Sundance, 17 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, 8 great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by 2 sisters, Elda Kanode and Leora Kanode of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, a sister, Ellen Brechbill, one grandson, and one great-grandson.

Arrangements are in the care of Fidler-Roberts & Isburg Funeral Chapel of Sundance. Online Condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com