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Ronald Gainey Obituary
St. Cloud
Formerly of Winona, Minnesota
Dec. 12, 1945 ~ Feb. 12, 2013
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Christ Church Newman Center, St. Cloud at 11:00am on Friday, February 15th, friends and relatives may call one hour prior to the service at the church for Ronald Gainey who died peacefully at his home surrounded by his three sons, wife, and sister.
Ronald "Coach" Gainey was born December 12, 1945 in Winona, Minnesota, to Ruth (Wunderlich) and Stan Gainey. He graduated from Cotter High School in 1964 and went on to graduate from Winona State University with a degree in Earth and Space Science.
Ron was drafted into the Army in 1968 and served our country as a Green Beret during the Vietnam War. He later obtained a Master's Degree in Meteorology from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. Ron taught earth science in the Sauk Rapids-Rice District for 32 years. He was often referred to as a "living legend" in his teaching of 8th grade science. He retired in 2004. In retirement, Ron enjoyed preparing fossil fish for display, walking at the Heart Center, and going out to eat at the Great Dragon Buffet. Ron wanted his family and friends to remember all the good times he had with them and how much he loved his family.
Survivors include his wife, Kathryn of St. Cloud; sons Jeb (Susan) Gainey of Little Falls, Josh Gainey of St. Cloud, and Seth Gainey of Las Vegas, Nevada; sister Mary Kay (Gary) Staudacher of Minneiska, Minnesota; and one very special grandson Emmett Gainey, son of Jeb and Susan Gainey.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ronald Gainey
March 9, 2013
My sympathy to Ron's family, his wife my chum from school, and his son's and families,he will be missed.
Jamie Schreder
March 4, 2013
R.I.P.
Jean Leitheiser
February 23, 2013
I have wonderful memories of 8th grade science due to Mr. Gainey's sense of humor and enthusiasm. It was almost magic that he was able to engage me in the class I wanted nothing to do with. He will always be remembered with a smile. My sympathies to the family.
Lori Long
February 18, 2013
So sad. So young. It's true .... Mr Gainey, as I knew him, was a wonderful science teacher. He had a passion that made us love to learn. I also had Mrs Gainey, who taught art and encouraged us to be creative and think outside the box. Both were inspirational in my life. My sincere sympathies.
Bev Wiiliams Steve Eckblad
February 18, 2013
Our sympathies to the whole family.
Emily Becker
February 17, 2013
I am so sad to hear about Ron. I still have the fossils he gave me almost 20 yrs ago when I had Mrs Gainey as a 3rd gr teacher proudly displayed in my home. Ron, you were a great man. You touched the lives of many.
February 16, 2013
We are thinking of all of you during this difficult time. It is hard to loose a loved one and we know you will cherish your many memories of Ron. Draw strength from each other and your friends and faith. In Sympathy, Dale and Joanne Haukland
Pat Tax (Janson)
February 16, 2013
Our sympathies to the Ron Gainey family. you made science and 8th grade so much fun. You were such a great teacher. thanks for all the memories!
Tyra Saldana (Reinert)
February 16, 2013
With sympathies to the Gainey family. Mr. Gainey was and always will be an inspiration to me. So many wonderful memories of 8th grade science class! Mr. Gainey made learning fun and interesting. One of the BEST teachers ever! I still hold on to the recipe you gave us for growing a crystal! You will be truly missed. Rest in peace.
John and Jean Clark
February 15, 2013
We will always remember Ron for the wonderful man and teacher he was. May the prayers of those who love you carry you through this time of sorrow. With heartfelt sympathy.
February 15, 2013
Ron was such a good man. I knew him through the others he touched and saw how he was loved. He had such a rich life with a warm, generous spirit.
Keith
Roxanne Russell
February 15, 2013
Never had I enjoyed science class until I had Mr. Gainey as a teacher. His enthusiasm, good-hearted nature, antics and personality made it all the more enjoyable. My sympathies to his family.
Jim Gerchy
February 15, 2013
Thank you Mr. Gainey! One of the best teachers in Sauk Rapids School history and a true gentleman. You will be missed, you will be remembered.
Jennifer (Smith) Engebretson
February 15, 2013
MRS Gainey,
I had the pleasure of having you as my 3rd grade teacher in pleseantveiw and your husband for 8th Grade science. He was a wounderful caring teacher who inspired a lot of his students and kept us all focused. He will be greatly missed and I to wish I had the chance to see him again and thank him for all he has inspired me to do and to just live life. I hope you take comfort in knowing you have a great Gaurdian Angel watching over you and your loved ones until you meet again. RIP Mr. Gainey
Travis Sorokie
February 15, 2013
Mr. Gainey was an true 'teacher' in every aspect. He had a way of making learning fun! His teachings will forever guide his students.
Love,
Travis Sorokie
Billy, Jocelyn and Kate O'Reilly
February 15, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. God Bless.
Matthew Woodard
February 14, 2013
Ron I will always remember the great times I had at your home with Jeb. You always made us feel so welcome there. Your support during the hard swimming days of high school will always be remembered.
February 14, 2013
By far one of my most favorite teachers! He taught so much more than science, he taught all his student some of life's most valuable lessons. He will truly be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Doug & Deb Harden
February 14, 2013
TLP's~ for your loss. Mr. Gainey was a great man. R.I.P.
Christy Schilling (Cave)
February 14, 2013
Mr. Gainey was one of...if not the best teacher I had. He taught with enthusiasm and kept us energetic 8th graders attuned to what he was teaching. He will be greatly missed and remembered fondly by many of us.
Tom and Julie Poppitz
February 14, 2013
May God bless you and your family at this time of sorrow.
Hugs and prayers coming your way.
Tom and Julie O'Reilly Poppitz
john plemel
February 14, 2013
you were and still will be a great man i will miss you.
Buzz Sawyer
February 14, 2013
Great neighbor and fishing buddy growing up!!! Great times together.
Ashley Jenkins
February 14, 2013
Mr. Gainey was by far my favorite teacher in middle school. What with the constant jokes, and the mistaking me for my best friend at the time [because we looked pretty much identical and even wore the same outfits on occasion, no prior planning]. Mr. Gainey made learning fun. He will truly be missed.
Ann O'Reilly
February 14, 2013
Thinking of your entire family in this time of sorry. May your happy memories with Ron bring you some comfort during this difficult time.
Steve Sandeen
February 14, 2013
I was fortunate enough to have both Mr. and Mrs. Gainey. Mr. Gainey inspired me to serve my country and also enter the teaching profession. I still tell my students stories of "Plate Tectonics" and "Alberta Clippers." My wife is also a teacher (another former student) so we can only hope to emulate the Gainey legacy!
God Bless,
Steve and Nancy Sandeen
Abbie Randall
February 14, 2013
Hands down my favorite science teacher. Also my 7th grade home room teacher. Thank you for installing a love of stars, clouds, and weather systems. Thank you for making me feel important during a time when I needed it.
Jessica Bryant
February 14, 2013
Mr. Gainey was one of the few teachers to make an impact and lasting impression on me throughout my school years. He gave me a new love and understanding for science and the world as a whole. I am sure his legend will live on and may he and his old stained coffee mug rest in peace.
Cindy (Buermann) DeAustin
February 14, 2013
He will always be remembered as one of my best teachers. Our thoughts and prayers for Mr. Gainey and his family
Bruce Schindler
February 14, 2013
He was quite the character....he is probably up at Blanchard Dam scattering crystal crosses for students to find..I did that with my kids when he was there teacher.
Bobby Gans
February 14, 2013
Easily my favorite teacher I ever had throughout my life. Always in a good mood and funny, his was the one class you never wanted to miss. RIP Ron
February 14, 2013
Such a great teacher, someone who inspired many young people to love science! You will be missed Mr. Gainey
February 14, 2013
Rest in Peace Mr. Gainey! You had a wonderful spirit and a great teacher!
Liz Determan
February 14, 2013
So sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful teacher and he definitely left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him! Rest in peace.
February 14, 2013
Remembered by two generations of the Skroch family. Our sympathies to the family. Leon & Janet Skroch family
Tebra Petersen
February 14, 2013
Thank you Mr. Gainey for inspiring my daughter Jessica Bryant. She talked about you often. Rest in peace.
Jody Pilarski-Bzdok
February 14, 2013
Mr. Gainey was one of the greatest teachers. I remember his smile well and him always with his coffee cup in hand. He made 8th grade Science fun. My prayers to his family. RIP Mr. Gainey.
February 14, 2013
Kathy and family. So sorry to hear about Ron's death. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Shari and Wally Pretzewr
Jen Bain
February 14, 2013
Thoughts and prayers to the Gainey family as you remember the moments spent with Ron. We still share fond memories of his time at SRRMS; nobody could wear a tutu like Mr. Gainey. He was an amazing man and teacher and will be missed!
Travis Martinson
February 14, 2013
Amazing Teacher!! He presented a whole new outlook to science.. Wont be forgotten.
Brenda (Weinand) Smude
February 14, 2013
My condolences to the Gainey family. Mr. Gainey was a great teacher who made learning fun. He will be greatly missed by all.
Cassie Larkin
February 14, 2013
Rest in Peace Mr. Gainey, you truly were an amazing teacher and will be missed greatly!
dustin potratz
February 14, 2013
He was the nice teacher that I ever had he going to sadly missed the prays go out to his family
Heidi Wagner
February 14, 2013
One of the best science teachers ever. I remember he had us predicting the weather and everything...of course this was about 35 years ago! My deepest sympathy to Kathy (also an awesome teacher)and his kids and family.
February 14, 2013
Ron...thanks for bein' there.
Stacey Johnson
February 14, 2013
One of the great ones.
Travis Denney
February 14, 2013
"Mr. Denney you are a smart kid, if you spent more time on school then farting around you could do great things" HA...great guy who knew what he was talking about....RIP MR. gainey
February 14, 2013
I will always remember the kindness and generousity of Ron, I grew up living next to him and family. On the coldest and snowiest of winter days, you hear the putter of his Ford tractor starting up, many times to plow our drive way before his own. A great man he is forever in many ways.
Andy Ahmann
Steve O'Donnell
February 14, 2013
He was an interesting man and a fine teacher. I recall his plan to hire a helicopter to fly him over California when it finally breaks off the continent and sell his footage for millions as well as a couple of his military stories, especially living off grub worms during training.
Chris Gordon
February 14, 2013
Kathy,
Sincere sympathy in your loss.
Jeremy Maguire
February 14, 2013
What a Great teacher and man. Through compassion for students and education, Mr. Gainey had a very positive influence on thousands!
Thank you for your dedicated service to the military and the education system!
corey schaefer
February 14, 2013
so sorry for your loss. mr gaineys class was the only one i ever looked forward to everyday while i was in the 8th grade he was a great teacher
Robert Feczer
February 14, 2013
He was a fantastic teacher and leaves behind a wonderful family. I'm sorry for your loss.
Amanda Pflipsen
February 14, 2013
Mr. Gainey was truly an amazing teacher who inspired students and left a lasting impression in all he taught. I'll never forget that stained coffee mug!
Chris Van Nevel
February 14, 2013
He was an inspirational teacher that always put his students ahead. He was instrumental in the shaping of his students into adults.
Troy Hinkle
February 14, 2013
One of the few teachers who left a lasting impression in my life, will never forget him drinking coffee out of his beaker! Rest in peace.
Paula Henry
February 14, 2013
My deepest sympathy. He was a wonderful teacher. He has left a memory in all of us....
Lee Froelich-Heltemes
February 13, 2013
Rest in peace Mr Gainey. You were a wonderful teacher and will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers are with the Gainey family!
Danae Presler
February 13, 2013
I will always remember Mr. Gainey with a smile on his face and an old stained coffee mug in his hand. Science with Mr. Gainey was always an adventure! May his life be celebrated and remembered with both tears and laughter.
Micki Nieman-Hammerel
February 13, 2013
You made science fun. Thoughts and prayers to the family!
Mark Lockhart
February 13, 2013
My condolences go out to Mr. Gainey's family. He was a great teacher and a great man. Who will ever forget holding up the wall in the lunchroom? I relay that memory to my students frequently!
Anthony Jensen
February 13, 2013
One of my favorite teachers, Rest in Peace, Mr. Gainey.
Shellie Kieke
February 13, 2013
I was so sorry to hear of Mr. Gainey's passing. No question he was one of my favorite teachers during my 21 years of schooling! I sure wish I had the chance to see him again, he really meant a lot to me and was truly an inspiration. After high school, I went on to study science (biology) - Mr. Gainey and Mr. Esterberg were two significant inspirations for me. I remember his sense of humor, and his no-nonsense "tough" exterior with a very caring, "teddy bear" interior. My deepest condolences to your family, Mr. Gainey will be missed by countless former students of the Sauk Rapids-Rice school district.
February 13, 2013
Hi Kathy and kids very sorry for your loss, old friends Myrna & Tom O
Theresa Lalim
February 13, 2013
Mr. Gainey you were a wonderful teacher. You made science fun and I can say I understand the weather patterns because of your class. Your were a friendly, light hearted man with a well used coffee cup. Rest in Peace.
Nathan Campbell
February 13, 2013
Rest in Peace. Mr. Gainey, you are one of the few teachers who inspire me to always work at perfecting my craft as a teacher.
Lonny Kiekow
February 13, 2013
Wonderful teacher, one of those that left a lasting mark on my life. Sorry for your loss.
Sherri Anderson
February 13, 2013
Rest in Peace Mr. Gainey. Thank you for for making science 30 years ago so memorable...even after all these years. You can never be replaced. You will be missed by all!
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