Also known as Dr. Don Cain or “Doc” and “Donnie” to his Wife & Burwell friends & family.
Dr. Donald V. Cain, Jr. 64 of Broken Bow, NE departed this physical life July 1, 2024, at his home with his loving wife & helpmate holding his hand.
Don was born August 9th, 1959, in Burwell, Nebraska to Jeanne L. (Chaffin) & Donald V. Cain, Sr. Don was a 5th generation Cattleman & Nebraskan and was very proud of that; he had one younger brother Randall “Randy”. He lived in Burwell until he went off to college to become a successful Veterinarian. He was very active as a youth in 4-H showing cattle and horses. His family owned and was active racing quarter horses. Some of Don’s favorite memories were the times he spent at his grandparent’s (Chaffin) ranch where they raised Hereford cattle, and where his love for Herefords and cattle began. Don bought his first cow around age 9 and his first bull when he was 15. In high school he played sports, was on the drama and speech team, and loved to sing; Don excelled in all he did. Like most teenage boys he loved his car, a gold Cougar XR7. In the summers he worked with his Uncle Paul Cain doing carpentry and painting.
After high school, he attended the University of Nebraska, Lincoln; was a Farmhouse fraternity brother and part of the Innocents Society. Dr. Cain graduated with his B.S. in Agricultural Honors, Chemistry & Biology. He then continued his education at Kansas State University and received his Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine, as well as his M.S. in Pathology.
During his career, he held USDA National Veterinarian Accreditation in Nebraska, Kentucky, Iowa, Ohio, Montana and licensing in South Dakota and Kansas. He was active in the Nebraska Livestock Emergency Disaster Response System and was an “Admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska”.
Dr. Cain was an active board member of ICON (Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska), and recently appointed to USDA Cattlemen’s Beef Board. He put 100%+ into everything he did. He wasn’t afraid of hard work or to fight for what was right. He participated several times at the Governor’s Ag Conference, as well as testified in the Nebraska Legislature for the rights of cattlemen, landowners, and taxpayers, where he won several cases at the Nebraska Supreme court.
Don was not afraid of hard work and long hours, as that was pretty much his everyday routine; he worked harder and longer than anyone who worked for him; because he believed in hard work and “Get-R-Done”. He was passionate about all he did, and it showed; the Lord blessed Don with a brilliant mind, memory, strength & stamina.
To name a few of his accomplishments: Veterinarian licensed in 7 states, Surgeon specialized in bull reproductive surgery, Pathologist & Diagnostician excelling in cattle health & developing 9 autogenous cattle vaccines. He was an Entrepreneur & Innovator, developed Performance Cattle Scanning & Cain USA Beef. He was a Visionary & Land Preservationist, developing his irrigated native range cattle ranch, a Cattleman/Rancher with over 50 years of quality cattle genetics & traits in their uniform Hereford, Red Angus, F1 cross cattle herd, and recently added American Wagyu beef as part of Don & Maureen’s All-Natural Beef company providing Premium Beef for the USA & Internationally. Don was truly talented and blessed with many gifts.
First and foremost, Don loved his God and Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, and was baptized and raised in the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church. He continued this relationship and membership throughout his whole life, with a membership at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Merna, Nebraska.
Second, Donnie met “the love of his life” Maureen (Kennedy) Cain January 9th, 2010, and were joined in holy matrimony July 14th, 2012, at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Sonora, California; then it was “Wagons East”, as Donnie said, to begin their married life in Broken Bow, Nebraska. Donnie & Maureen were matched on E-harmony; he a large animal Veterinarian and Pathologist and Maureen a Registered Nurse; and, yes, she loved cows too! In fact, their first date was an emergency cow call in a pasture for a prolapsed uterus. Maureen jumped right in, and the rest was history as his “Helpmate” in all aspects of his life and career. It was a perfect match, a match made in heaven; they completed each other’s sentences and thoughts as if they had been married for 50 years. Donnie said Maureen was his other ½ neuron and his one true love. Maureen was Donnie’s “helpmate” and biggest encourager, and Donnie was the love of her life and vowed to be with him always (Ruth 1:16-17).
Third, Don adored his 2 children Nathan & Jentry Cain, and loved his stepdaughter Heather Sparks as his own; family was very important to him. Donnie made lots of memories with his children and Jentry worked with him at the Vet clinic, and everyone, at different times, helped with the cattle and the ranch.
Besides his love of God, his wife, their children & their cows; Don loved working on his cattle records – the herd’s genetics and knew most all of his cows by their number and Dams & Sires. He loved horses and definitely fishing! He enjoyed music, singing, history, antiques, restoring his & Maureen’s “Castle”, and spending quiet and fun times with his wife creating memories and “sparkles”.
Donnie loved everything Czech, especially his Kolachi, which he helped his “Pearl” (Maureen) master the old family recipe. He loved the accordion and had started learning to play. He loved to dance - Country, Waltzing, and boy could he Polka! Donnie swept Maureen off her feet and won her heart. Almost every time they danced in public, there would inevitably be someone who would come up to them and tell him “We love to watch you two dance”.
Donnie was taken from this earth far too early, but God knew that it was time to join Him in heaven, believing that each of our days were ordained before we were formed in our Mother’s womb (Psalm 139). Little did we know his time would come so soon. He is survived by his wife Maureen (Kennedy) Cain; his children Nathan R. Cain of Lincoln, NE, Jentry D. Cain of Berwyn, NE, Heather R. Sparks of Austin, TX; his father Donald V. Cain Sr. of Burwell, NE; his brother Randall L. Cain of Hebron, NE. He was preceded in death by his mother Jeanne L. (Chaffin) Cain.
Funeral Service will be Saturday, July 6th, 2024, at 1:00 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Burwell, Nebraska, with the Internment Service held at Cottonwood Cemetery, Burwell, Nebraska. Memorials suggested to Orphan Grain Train. A visitation will be held on Friday, July 5th, with family greeting from 6:00 to 7:00 pm at Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow. Govier Brothers Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.govierbrothers.com
A Celebration of Life will take place from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday August 9, 2024 (Don’s birthday) in Broken Bow, NE at the Municipal Building (314 S 10th Ave).