Mary Margaret Cain, 91, of Rochester, Minnesota, formerly of Burlington, died Sunday, June 6, 2010, at Charter House in Rochester.
She was born the daughter of Harry and Anna Riley Corkery on January 8, 1919, in Fayette, Iowa. On June 25, 1950, she was married to Thomas L. Cain at St. Francis Catholic Church in Fayette, Iowa. He died January 31, 2005.
Mrs. Cain graduated from Upper Iowa University in Fayette and was an elementary school teacher before her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Cain moved to Burlington and opened a McDonald’s Restaurant in 1964. They owned five McDonald’s over the years. They were very involved in the Burlington community until they moved to a retirement home in Rochester in 2001.
Margaret was a member of St. John and Paul Catholic Church in Burlington. She was a former member of Burlington Golf Club, Eagles Club, Chamber of Commerce, Moose Club, Elks Club, and other community organizations. She and her husband were involved with the start of Hope Haven in Burlington and the Ronald McDonald House in Iowa City. They received the St. Gregory’s Medal from the Pope for their contributions to Catholic Charities.
Margaret enjoyed traveling, especially to Hawaii and Ireland. She liked to cook and entertain and most enjoyed giving St. Patrick’s Day parties, which included her favorite Irish music. Most of all she loved her family and friends; she was a very caring and nurturing person.
Survivors include her daughter, Cathleen Cain of Charter House in Rochester, MN; two brothers, James Corkery of Independence and John Corkery of Elk Run River, MN; one sister, Lois Ann Corkery of West Union; one brother-inlaw, Father John Cain of Spencer; five sisters-in-law, Gladys Daniels of Sioux Falls, S.D., Veronica Dyer of Sacramento, California, Sister Thecla Cain of Dubuque, Ellie Corkery of Byron, GA, and Rita Cain of Larchwood, IA; special cousins, Jack and Betty Riley of Galena, IL; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Colleen Cain; one son, Thomas C. Cain; two brothers, Lowell Corkery and Eugene Corkery; three brothers-in-law, Steve Cain, Father James Cain, and Sylvester Cain; and two sisters-in-law, Margaret Corkery and Patsy Cain.
A Funeral Mass for Margaret will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 10, 2010, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Fayette with Rev. Jim Brokman officiating. Interment will follow in St. Francis Cemetery, Fayette. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Thursday at the church. Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Fayette is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial funds to either Hope Haven in Burlington or the Ronald McDonald House in Iowa City have been established. Please send to Cathleen Cain’s guardian, Joanne Ott, 2580 312th, Danville, IA 52623.
