Daniel Cain Obituary

Daniel O'Connell Cain, 95, passed away in Topeka on March 5, 2022, with beloved family at his side.

Dan was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, June 10, 1926, the eldest son of Daniel O., Sr., and Elisabeth Quinn Cain. After briefly living in Elwood, Kansas, the family moved to Hannibal, Missouri, before settling in Salina. Dan graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Salina in 1944 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. A near-fatal bout of rheumatic fever prevented his deployment to the Pacific theater before the war's end.

Dan attended Kansas State University on the GI Bill and earned a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Economics in 1950. He took a job out of college teaching soil conservation practices to farmers and returning veterans in Sherman County. Later, he was hired by the State Department of Agriculture in Topeka. He subsequently shifted to the Kansas Corporation Commission, where he served for many years as a securities examiner.

In the late 1970s, Dan left state employment and never looked back to focus full-time on his expanding agricultural concerns. His family had farmed in Kansas since the 1860s and Dan proved a successful heir to this legacy. His holdings eventually included prime acreage in Shawnee, Douglas, Osage and Jefferson counties. Dan was a devoted steward of the land and committed to limiting the use of fertilizer, herbicides and pesticides. In 2008, he was recognized by Douglas County as Soil Conservationist of the Year.

Dan served on the Kansas Corn Commission and was a member of the National Corn Growers' research and marketing committees. He traveled to Japan with the corn commission in 1994 to commemorate the rapid expansion of Kansas corn exports to that country. After retiring, Dan established an endowment at his alma mater to support alternative uses for Kansas agricultural products.

Dan was an astute and successful stock market investor but was happiest working the land, especially if joined by his family. Whether laboring alongside his dad and younger brothers, Gene and Jim, to bring in the harvest in his bachelor years, overseeing his son, Dan III, and sons-in-law in clearing brush and rock to put additional acreage into production, or enlisting his daughters and grandchildren to chop invasive Russian thistles, Dan understood that success as an independent farmer required contributions from all.

He was physically fit and would often labor past sundown, sometimes alone. Family members occasionally bristled at being pressed into service on the hottest days of summer, but they all learned from his self-reliance and iron work ethic.

Dan was a true son of Kansas. He knew much about the state's history and could name the county seat of each of her 105 counties, having visited many of them working for the Department of Agriculture. He inherited a love of music from his mother and played trombone in high school and college. He continued to perform with several Topeka big bands in later years, including the Fairlawn Swing Band.

Like his father before him, Dan took great pride in his Irish heritage. He was involved for many years in the planning of Topeka's annual St. Patrick's Day celebrations, activities which his father had helped pioneer after World War II with an annual Mass, breakfast and dance. The present-day parade and accompanying events were high holidays for the Cain family. Dan was a lifelong Democrat and sharply critical of the divisive, polarized nature that marks American politics today.

Dan and his wife, Theresa, raised six spirited and accomplished children. He was extremely generous with his brood. But his greatest gifts were the values of family, honesty, fairness and sacrifice he instilled in each.

To Dad, Dan, Papa D. and Mr. Cain: You will be forever in our hearts and live each day in our memories. God speed and rest easy.

Dan married Theresa Ann Murry on September 29, 1956, at Holy Name Church in Topeka. In addition to his wife, he is survived by their children Patricia Rodewald (Lance), Beijing, China; Ann Cain (Bonar Menninger), Merriam, KS; Dan Cain III (Michelle), Kansas City, MO; Mary Eileen Cain, Lawrence, KS; Clare Stafford (George), Lawrence, KS; and Bridget Cain, Portland, OR; and grandchildren Theresa Rodewald (Matt Sherman), Thomas Rodewald, Grace Menninger, Clare Cain, Michael Cain, Ellen McGivern, Maura McGivern (Matt Kirby), Joseph McGivern, Helena Stafford, Owen Stafford and Abigail Bushman; brother James Cain, Reno, NV; as well as several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Dan was preceded in death by his brother Gene.

The family will greet friends at Most Pure Heart of Mary Church on Friday, March 11, 6:30-8 pm, with a rosary and remembrances to follow. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated the following morning at 11 am at Most Pure Heart, 3601 SW 17th St., Topeka, Kansas 66604. Masking is requested by the family; mourners are encouraged to wear green if they so desire. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Cain Land and Grain Value-Added Scholarship via the Kansas State University Foundation using Fund Number M47394, or by mail to KSU Foundation, 1800 Kimball Ave., Suite 200, Manhattan, KS 66502. Alternatively, online contributions to Catholic Relief Services to help Ukrainian families are encouraged. Donations to the above organizations also can be made by mail in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka, Kansas 66614.

"Rejoice! Rejoice! Do not be sad. I've lived a wonderful life."

- Dan O. Cain