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Gary Caffee

Gary Caffee


Dates

August 17, 1955 - April 29, 2023

Obituary

Gary Caffee, husband, father, and grandfather, age 67, of Mitchell, SD, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, April 29, 2023, at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell with the love of his life, Marian, by his side. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Friday, May 5, at Northridge Baptist Church in Mitchell. Burial will be at Restlawn Memorial Gardens in Huron. Visitation will be Thursday from 5-7:00 PM at Northridge Baptist Church with a 6:30 PM prayer service. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Gary Eugene Caffee was born on August 17, 1955, to Lester and Marleen (Weeldreyer) Caffee, and spent his childhood on the farm in Jerauld County where he first developed his touch for gardening and animal husbandry. He played football for and graduated from Wessington Springs High School, and later Mitchell Vocational Technical School in carpentry. During the 1976 drought, he headed south to Nebraska where he met the woman who was to become his wife and they started life together, first milking, then later settling in Mitchell where they raised their family. Gary was truly passionate about his 40-year career in the livestock industry, helping farmers and ranchers improve their herds through genetics. Gary was active in 4-H, first as a youth, later as a parent and club leader.

A lifelong Vikings fan, Gary could often be seen wearing his purple around town. Gary was passionate about his (and his customer’s) cattle herds, watching (and quoting) movies, reading military history books, and was an active participant in the church. Gary and Marian lived a life-long culinary adventure together, exploring, refining, and perfecting recipes over their 45-year marriage.

Gary is survived by his wife, Marian; children, Chelsea Caffee of Surprise, AZ, Garrett (Rhiannon) Caffee of Prior Lake, MN, Chance (Danielle) Caffee of Eden Prairie, MN, and Seth Caffee of Hinton, OK; grandchildren, Eden, Reed, Alec, Montana, Braelyn, Liam, Madeline, Willow, Maisey, Lily, and Jack, and two grandpets; parents, Lester Caffee of Wessington Springs, SD and Marleen Caffee of Rapid City, SD; five siblings, David (Nancy) Caffee of Wessington Springs, SD, Larry (Shari) Caffee of Rapid City, SD, Peggy (Jim) Goehring of Ocoee, FL, Sally Wulf of Miller, SD, and Terry (Autumn) Caffee of Great Falls, MT; loving in-laws, nieces, nephews, and a host of long-time friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, father-in-law, and brother-in-law.

Memorials can be directed to the Davison County 4-H.

The Caffee family would like to express their gratitude to the emergency response and hospital personnel for the care given to Gary.


Visitation(s)

Date
Thursday, May 4, 2023
Time
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location
6:30 PM Prayer Service

Northridge Baptist Church
323 W 23rd Ave
Mitchell, SD 57301

Service

Date
Friday, May 5, 2023
Time
10:30 AM
Location
Northridge Baptist Church
323 W 23rd Ave
Mitchell, SD 57301

Cemetery

Restlawn Memorial Gardens
Huron, SD


Posted by Robyn Bartunek on May 9, 2023
Sending sympathy and prayers to the family. So sorry for your loss.
Posted by Dan and Mary Froning on May 7, 2023
So sorry for your loss sending our deepest sympathies to you and your family
Posted by John, Elizabeth & Hudson Knispel on May 7, 2023
Our prayers are with you all.
Posted by Terry & Mary Nutter on May 7, 2023
Our condolences to Gary’s families on his passing. He was a great individual .
Posted by Sue Froschheuser on May 6, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family in this time of loss. We only talked to Gary a few times on the phone, but he made us feel like we had known him for a long time. He seemed so kind and helpful. We have been looking for a place out in the country and he would call us if he had any leads, so we had talked to him only a few times. He didn’t know us at all, but yet took the time to try to help us get out of Sioux Falls. We enjoyed his sense of humor. May God provide a blanket of comfort over his family.
Posted by Audrey and Joel Stahl on May 5, 2023
our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Posted by Dan Mandich on May 5, 2023
It is far too soon, our prayers and our thoughts are with you. GodBless🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Posted by Dan Mandich on May 5, 2023
So sorry for your great loss Marian, Chance and the entire Caffee family. The Mandich family will miss Gary and his great smile and personality.
Posted by Michael Beale on May 5, 2023
I’m so sorry to hear about Gary passing, praying for you all!
Posted by Jim and Bernice Houska on May 5, 2023
Our deepest sympathy to all his family.
Posted by Caroline Mandich on May 4, 2023
We are devastated for the tremendous loss to the Caffee family!!!! Gary will be so very missed ! His love of his wife , family & life were inspirational! Our prayers are with your family!💜
Posted by Steve Hasz on May 4, 2023
I’ll always remember Gary as a friend and classmate.
Many good times were shared in the classroom and playing football.
He was an important part of the Class of 73.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of his family and friends.
Steve and Rita Hasz
Posted by Tim Pratt on May 4, 2023
Im so sorry for your loss Our Prayers are with your family at this time
Posted by Jamie Blair on May 3, 2023
We are all so very sad for the Caffee families.
Sending you our prayers
God Speed
Posted by Dennis Fischer on May 3, 2023
Marian and family. Over time , may your tears be replaced by smiles in the memory of a good man.
Posted by Stan ruff on May 3, 2023
Sorry for your loss prayers for the family
Posted by Joshua and Bethany Mandich on May 3, 2023
We always appreciated Gary’s smile and sense of humor. He will be deeply missed and we are praying for all of you.
Posted by Randy and Lisa Vermeulen on May 3, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers to the Caffee family.
Gary will be sure missed in the neighborhood.
Posted by Jamie Marchbank on May 3, 2023
So sorry for your loss Chance. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Posted by Jerry Pomije on May 3, 2023
So sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts are with you Chance.
Posted by Susan Blair on May 3, 2023
My thoughts and prayers to the Caffee family at this sad time
Posted by Todd Cravens on May 3, 2023
I am so sorry about Gary's passing. Chance, you and your family remain in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by Lynelle Schroeder on May 3, 2023
So sorry for your loss. Sending thoughts and prayers to Gary's family.
Posted by Terry and Judy Petronek on May 2, 2023
We are so sorry for your loss..praying for you and family…
Posted by Lou Ann Fischer on May 2, 2023
Gary was a classmate of mine and I was so sad to hear of his passing! Many prayers for the family and I am thinking of you at this difficult time…🙏🏻
Posted by Tim & Cathy Holzwarth on May 2, 2023
Extending our deepest sympathies to Gary’s family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you throughout this most difficult time!
Posted by Terry Caffee on May 2, 2023
I’m going to miss you brother. You meant a lot to me and my family 💔😢
Posted by Tama Backlund on May 2, 2023
Marian and children, I am so very sorry for the loss of your husband and father. Such a nice man, gone too soon.
Posted by Barclay Kreth on May 2, 2023
Prayers are with your family.
Posted by Bryan & Brenda Moore on May 2, 2023
Sympathies to a good man-
Posted by Jeff and kathy Fouberg on May 2, 2023
Our prayers are with you Marian and your family!
Posted by June Thompson on May 2, 2023
Marian and family, my deepest sympathies to you all. May your memories carry you through this difficult time. Sending my prayers.
Posted by Chanda Kolousek on May 2, 2023
So very sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers for all of you.
Posted by Jack and Sue Teeslink on May 2, 2023
Sending out thoughts and prayers to you all.
Posted by Perry Tobin on May 2, 2023
Deepest sympathy to the Caffee family !
Posted by Linda Teveldal on May 2, 2023
My deepest sympathy to Gary’s family.
Posted by Don and Deb Patton on May 2, 2023
We send our deepest sympathy to all of Gary’s family. So very sorry to learn of his passing. Peace be with you. ❤️🙏🏻
Posted by Jerry Luckett on May 2, 2023
I am so sorry for your loss. May God wrap His arms around you at this difficult time. Sending prayers for everyone.
Posted by Garry and Jo Freier on May 2, 2023
Marion and family, our deepest sympathies to you in the sudden loss of Gary. We have such wonderful memories from our 4H years with our kids. Know you are in our thoughts and prayers during these difficult days.
Posted by Todd and Mary Kopfmann on May 2, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers to the Caffee families, Gary will be missed!
Posted by Ariel Anderson on May 2, 2023
We are so very sorry to hear about Gary's passing. Little Wyatt is going to be lost without his "grandpa". Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Posted by Kim (Huke) Satterlee on May 2, 2023
Marion & Family - I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Posted by Mark Anderson on May 2, 2023
We are thinking of you marian and family.. We will miss gary deeply... Not gonna be the same around the neighborhood..
Posted by Gary Luckett on May 2, 2023
Sorry for your lost. Rest In Peace Gary.
Posted by Charlie and Darlene Bailey on May 2, 2023
Sorry to hear about Gary's passing prayers to the family
Posted by Keith and Laura Tipler on May 2, 2023
Marian and family , So sorry for your loss. Gary had the best smile. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Hugs
Posted by Darrell Deneke on May 2, 2023
My thoughts and prayers are with the Caffee family.
Posted by Barbara Swett on May 2, 2023
Always enjoyed Gary's visits in the years past.....he was blessed with a great family and always spoke well of you all.
Posted by Deb Tilton on May 2, 2023
Marian and family, so very sorry for your loss, please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers..
Posted by Tom Riddle on May 2, 2023
So so sorry to hear this , thoughts and prayers
Posted by Lee Dougan on May 1, 2023
Sorry to here about Gary passing
Posted by Wayne Gronseth on May 1, 2023
So sorry to hear of Gary's passing.
Posted by Jim and Sharon Metzger on May 1, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers for Marian and family. Gary will be missed deeply by you all leaving a empty spot in your hearts. Eternal rest on Gary, O’ Lord, May he rest in peace. Amen
Posted by Val & Dawn Luckett & Family on May 1, 2023
Our thoughts and Prayers to you all.
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