Julie Cain

Julie Cain, 67, of St. Lawrence, passed away Thursday, May 16, 2024, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls.

Her family was by her side and she was able to meet her granddaughter before she succumbed to the effects of multiple strokes.

In accordance with her wishes, the Cain family will have a Celebration of Life at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, August 3, 2024, at the St. Lawrence Natural Park, St. Lawrence, South Dakota.   

Julie was born on April 19, 1957, in Watertown, SD, the third and youngest child of Norm and Marcie Lander. Her family moved to Miller when she was three years old. She grew up loving animals, fishing, hunting, and camping with her family. She graduated from Miller High School in 1975, attended Black Hills State University, and then worked in construction for several years.

Julie spent a summer in Fairbanks, Alaska, while dating Gerald Cain. As an intrepid soul, she returned to Alaska by driving the Alcan Highway solo to Fairbanks and then flying in a small plane to join Gerry in Barrow, Alaska. She worked as a substitute teacher and painter for two years during their time in the USA’s northernmost community. She longed for more sunshine, so they took a much-needed Hawaiian vacation and were married on October 22, 1981.

Two sons, Colt and Tanner, were born into this union after they returned to South Dakota. Many weekends were spent as a family, enjoying the outdoors together. Her gardening and baking skills were always shared with her friends and family, along with a variety of crafts she made from second-hand stores and estate sale finds. She was an incredibly hard worker who was fearless on a ladder and enjoyed working outside whether she was remodeling, building, or being artistic. As busy as she was, she always made time to be with her family and beloved pets. Julie was a certified contractor and was self-employed with her own building, roofing, and painting business for decades until a series of health issues forced her to retire. The last several years were spent being the sole caretaker for her mother until her death in 2022. As she recovered from her own surgeries, she also cared for her husband since 2018 as he battled cancer.

Julie is survived by her husband, Gerald, sons: Colt (Heather) and Tanner (Hailey); grandchildren: Hunter Dean and Marcie Kay, all from Miller; also mourning her loss are siblings: Lynn (Peggy) Lander from Aberdeen and Lori (Rob) Girvin from Tacoma, WA; along with many relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Norm and Marcie (Aderhold) Lander, as well as her grandparents, aunts, and uncles.  

Julie Cain enjoyed helping others and continues to do so by donating her organs to those in need. 

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Julie's arrangements.