John Manford Cain

John M. Cain, 92, passed away July 21, 2024, from heart failure at home surrounded by his family.

John was born in 1932, to Manford and Pearl Cain, in Morrison, Illinois. When he was in high school, his family moved to a farm in Granton, Wisconsin. He worked for a year and then put himself through UW- Madison, majoring in soil science. While working in the campus snack bar he met Carolyn Gammeter, whom he married in 1955. He then earned a Master’s degree in Soil Science and a K-12 teaching license.

After fulfilling his ROTC commitment, he worked for the US Soil Conservation Service and as a junior high school science teacher. He completed his PhD in Soil Science and taught at UW-River Falls. In 1968, he joined the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and worked there for 26 years, ultimately serving as section chief in the Water Quality Division. He was involved in early regional efforts with the Environmental Protection Agency and hired several of DNR’s future leaders.

John and Carolyn enjoyed parenting their two children and together did a lot of camping, hiking, backpacking, biking, ice skating, and sailing on Lake Mendota. As a family they learned to downhill ski and for many years organized an annual ski week in Colorado for family and friends. In 1981, the family bought an old cottage in northern Wisconsin where John did major remodeling and enjoyed time on the water. He served as secretary of the Birch Lake Association and co-authored a book on the lake’s history. 

After retirement, John and Carolyn enjoyed trips to the Southwest and Utah in their camping van. John had two special hobbies: gardening and wood-working. Every year he planted a large garden and enjoyed sharing the produce with family and friends. He loved working with wood, turning countless bowls, along with making furniture, toys, picture frames, lamps, and wood carvings.

 The family is grateful for the support and care of many medical professionals, including Drs. Arneson and Rahko, and Agrace Hospice, especially Ines and Carolyn. 

 John is survived by his wife Carolyn, son Mark (Evelyn), daughter Peggy, granddaughter Emma Louden, siblings Betty Boysen, Laurie (Fred) Winkler, and Rick (Joyce) Cain, brother-in-law Warren (Carol) Gammeter, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents Manford and Pearl Cain and brother-in-law Albert Boysen.

 A Life Celebration will be held at Midvale Community Lutheran Church on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 10 am - 1:00 pm, with a short remembrance at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Midvale Community Lutheran Church or Agrace Hospice.