Velma Jane Cain, 84, of Burwell, Nebraska was called home to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on May 28, 2025, in Ord, Nebraska. She fought various health complications to the end of her life because she loved living each day to its fullest and finding moments of sunshine in each day.
Velma Jane (Adams) Cain was born on September 1, 1940, to Frank and Gladys (Ivy) Adams on the family farm near Waco, Nebraska in York County. She was baptized on April 9, 1944 at the Congregational Church of Exeter. She enjoyed growing up on the family farm next to Exeter and the Big Blue River. She graduated Exeter High School in 1959 where she enjoyed being in band and was a charter member of FHA.
She graduated from Kearney State Teachers College with a BA in Home Economics Education. Velma student taught in Burwell in 1963 and then taught at Burwell Public Schools from 1963 to 1973 as a Home Economics Teacher and the FHA (Future Homemakers of America) advisor. She obtained a MA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1971 in Adult Psychology with a Lifetime Teaching Certificate.
She was active in the development of the Nebraska Home Economics and Life Skills Curriculum from 1965–1972. Mrs. Cain’s Adult Living class had a preschool for two weeks to help teach hands-on childcare to the Adult Living class. The preschool would run all day, and each class would take turns working with the students. During her ten years of teaching, she had many accomplishments, including overseeing 500 fashion construction projects, helping 10 students honored with state honors in the Make-it-Yourself with Wool, and teaching one of the first all-male Adult Living classes, and writing the curriculum. Velma had her second career calling when she stepped down from teaching to raise her children. She then was a substitute teacher for many area schools from 1986 to 2001. In 1995, Mrs. Cain was honored with a Nebraska Future Homemakers of America Membership Service Award and in 2020 was named to the National Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America Hall of Fame for her work during her teaching career and afterward.
In 1964 she met the love of her life, Paul J. Cain, on a blind date. She was confirmed on June 6, 1965, at St. John’s Lutheran Church prior to the couple being married on June 26, 1965, at St. John’s Lutheran Church. To this union two children were born, Paul J. Cain, Jr., and Candace Jane Cain.
Velma loved serving the church in various ways. She was Dorcas Society President, Sunday school and VBS teacher, AAL Officer, and did tape ministry, visiting shut-in members.
Velma was a member of various organizations including: 52-year member of Alpha Delta Kappa Teachers Honorary, named to the Nebraska ADK Hall of Fame in 2013; Daughters of the American Revolution past chapter regent and state chair; Daughters of 1812; American Legion Auxiliary member for over 35 years, scrapbook chair, Poppy Chair; and Do Your Share (DYS) Extension Club.
She loved volunteering at various community organizations, including being a volunteer at Nebraska’s Big Rodeo, and a 4-H project leader in the areas of cooking and sewing. She judged at county fairs for over 25 years and even was a Nebraska State Fair foods judge for 15 years.
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