Jerry Gordon Cain
May 5, 1955 ~ January 31, 2014
Jerry G. Cain, 58, Mitchell, SD, died Friday, January 31, 2014, at home, surrounded by his family, following a courageous battle with cancer.
Visitation will begin at 5:00PM, Monday, February 3, 2014, at the Mitchell Wesleyan Church, with family present from 6 until 7:30PM. Funeral services will begin at 10:30AM, Tuesday, February 4, also at Mitchell Wesleyan with Pastor Dennis Selfridge officiating. Interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery, Mitchell.
Jerry Gordon Cain was born in Mitchell, SD, May 5, 1955, to Millard and Goldien (Mueller) Cain; the 6th child and 3rd boy born into this family of 8. He attended school in Mitchell and in 1969 at the age of 14, he was stricken with a terrible case of rheumatic fever which landed him him in the hospital for 68 consecutive days. Not being able to return to school he worked odd jobs, until about 1973 when then City Street Superintendent, Marshall Adams offered him a part time job throwing cans on the garbage truck. This soon turned into a full time job, moving up the ladder until he became a heavy equipment operator with the city of Mitchell which lasted just short of 40 years. Jerry loved his work and was always available when needed. He never took a real vacation instead he saved all of his time for sickness if need be. A vacation to him was taking Thur. & Fri. off when a holiday week-end came. This usually gave him 5 days in a row off.
Jerry loved animals from the very early stages of his life. A picture in the back shows a toddler fondly holding a new born puppy. Marlene tells the story of how a stray dog came into the neighborhood lost and scared. And with a quiet gentle voice he called the dog over and began talking to him and making him feel safe. In a few minutes he had found the owner and so thrilled that the dog had found his master. In later years Jerry always had a dog, usually a Dalmatian. The last one was a dog that had been terribly abused by his previous owner. He coddled this dog back to a trusting pet. Jerry also loved to watch and feed the birds and squirrels. His family often commented that his back yard was the “Chef Louie’s” for the birds.
Jerry will be deeply missed by his four sisters, Jeanette Baas, Mitchell, Linda (Louis) Cooper, North Platte, NE, Laurel (Ed) Osborne, Sioux Falls, and Marlene Wright, Scottsdale, AZ; ten nieces and nephews, Kallan Paulson, Kyle Baas, Brenda Cain, Tonya Hantke, Karla Cooper, Roberta Steffens, Kevin Tietz, Kim Gartamaker, Lucas Wright, and Lance Wright; and 19 great-nephews and nieces.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Millard and Goldien; two brothers, Roger and David; and one sister, Glenda.
We are so sorry for your lose. We will have your family in our thoughts and prayers.
God bless.
So very sorry to hear about Jerry. My deepest sympathies to the family…you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
he will be missed by many. I whish I could have seen him . I was just talking to my brother about him I grew up and went to school with Jerry and spent a few nights over at his place its so sad to find old friends this way.
my thoughts are with your familys
God bless ! we lost a great man .
I want to send my deepest heartfelt sorry for your loss and my prayers to the family when they need them the most. LORD BLESS YOU ALL!
Jim & I were so sorry to hear about Jerry’s passing….he put up a good fight. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this very difficult time…
We are so sorry for your lose. We will have your family in our thoughts and prayers.
God bless.
Jeanette and Kallan you have my deepest sympathy.
Jeanette and family. I was so sorry to hear of your brothers death. I had heard he was ill for some time. May it comfort you to know others care and also that he is now without pain and in a better place.
We are so sorry to hear of Jerry’s passing. But thankful he is not in pain any longer. We are praying for God’s strength for all of you. Merv and Martha
Jerry and I were best friends when he was 14 and was stricken with the fever and the heart condition and will remain best friends in the next life as well. Jerry never had the knowledge gained from a college degree, he had better, he had wisdom,he knew what life was all about ,that it would end someday,and a short step later the next life would begin without the pain and sickness. Jerry always had a big smile everyday no-matter what the day had given him. Jerry was a giver never a taker. Jerry was always concerned about others more than talking about himself and his health issues.We have lost him, he is gone , but fifty-eight years of memories will remain for generations never to be lost or gone, the cancer will never take away the life he had or his spirit that lives on. He inspired everyone who knew him. My prayers are with his family and and his many friends( if you knew him he was your friend). See you later Spooks take care
Jeanette & family – Al & I were so sorry to hear of Jerry’s death. Take care & we will see you when we get back. Your neighbors & friends, Al & Barb
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Cain family. My father (Robert Phillips Sr.) worked with Jerry numerous years for the City of Mitchell Street Department.