George, Laverne and Jerry Carey Endowment for John Paul II School
The George and Laverne Carey Endowment Fund was established shortly after the death of George (3 August 1908–1 December 1988). George and Laverne Carey educated their six children at Notre Dame grade and high school and were dedicated to the values of a Catholic education. The Careys moved to Mitchell in 1952. George was an insurance agent who traveled throughout the state of South Dakota for his company, delivering insurance products to those who sold them in the state. After his children were raised and had left the nest, he once told Father John R. Kasch, pastor of Holy Family Church, that when his children were going to school at Notre Dame he could not afford to contribute much financially to their education. He then gave Father Kasch a check that he could afford to contribute to the education of other children. He hoped, too, that his own children would follow his example. After his death, his wife Laverne and the children founded the endowment. In 1988 he was survived by his wife, six children, many grandchildren, and one brother. He was the youngest in his own family and was preceded in death by four sisters and two brothers. Anyone may contribute to this fund.
When making an online donation, please select "other" and specify the fund name you wish to support. Thank you for your generosity!
+ Gerald (Jerry) Paul Carey, 74, of Mitchell, SD, died Wednesday, July 7, 2016, at his home in Mitchell after a short illness.
Jerry was born on 28 April 1942 in Montrose, SD, the son of George and Laverne Carey. He was educated in the Montrose public school, and after moving to Mitchell in 1952, he attended Notre Dame grade and high school, graduating in 1960. In 1959, he played basketball on the Notre Dame High School team that won the South Dakota State Catholic Championship tournament. He attended and played basketball at Creighton University in Omaha and then at St. John’s University (Minn), where he graduated with his BA degree. After college he worked for an Insurance company in Indiana and then volunteered at Father Murray’s Sky Ranch for Boys. Thereafter, he worked for the Randall stores, owned and operated businesses in Mitchell, including Jerry Carey Travel and the Depot.
He contributed generously to support his many nieces and nephews, entertained many family gatherings at his home, organized annual celebrations for his friends, and loved hunting, fishing, golfing, and boating with family and friends. He had a big heart and responded to those who were in need, especially those who were in need of education, both in Mexico and in Mitchell.
He is survived by his wife, Patty, and son, Patrick, of Mitchell; his brother, Patrick (Phyllis), Newton, WI; and four sisters, Mary (Ed) Kentch, Omaha, NE, Adele Carey, St. Louis, MO, Valerie (Chuck) Erpenbach, Lake St. Louis, MO, and Janine (Larry) Wehrkamp, Rapid City, SD, and many nieces and nephews.
Jerry was a great beneficiary and financial supporter of Catholic education and helped to establish the George and Laverne Carey Scholarship Fund for the John Paul II school in Mitchell. His name has been added to that scholarship fund in honor of his dedication to Catholic education in Mitchell.
Laverne Carey, 104, of Mitchell died Sunday, February 8, 2015 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Thursday, February 12, 2015 at Holy Family Catholic Church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 PM, Wednesday, with a Scripture Service at 7:00 PM at the Bittner Funeral Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in the name of the George & Laverne Carey Endowment Fund for the benefit of tuition assistance at John Paul II School.
Laverne Mary Magdalene Carey was born to John and Agnes (Raue) Sabers, January 31, 1911 at Salem, SD. She grew up in Salem and graduated from Salem High School in 1928. For nine years she worked at the McCook County National Bank, in Salem. On August 18, 1938 she married George Carey at Salem, SD.
They lived in Montrose until 1952 when they moved to Mitchell and she was a resident since that time. She had many interests including gardening, sewing and crochet handiwork, playing classical piano, and was an avid bridge player. Poetry was another source of enjoyment for her as well as working the Daily Republic Cryptograms and Jumble. She was a volunteer with Meals on Wheels. Laverne rode her bicycle until she was into her nineties.
Laverne was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, Holy Family Altar Society and the National Catholic Society of Foresters.
She is survived by two sons, Patrick (Phyllis) Carey, Newton, WI, Gerald "Jerry" (Patty) Carey, Mitchell, SD; and four daughters: Mary (Ed) Kentch, Omaha, NE, Adele Carey, St. Louis, MO, Valerie (Chuck) Erpenbach, Lake St. Louis, MO and Janine (Larry) Wehrkamp, Rapid City, SD; twelve grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and several Honduras sponsored children.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George (1988); two grandsons, Thad and Peter; five sisters; four brothers; and her parents. The family gives special thanks to Cheryl Rothfuss and all the caregivers who enabled mother to stay in her own home until her death.
An endowment fund is a perpetual fund, created by charitable donations in the form of cash, stocks, mutual funds, real property, or other personal property given to the Foundation. The practice of investing the principal, rather than spending it, creates a perpetual fund. Most of an endowment’s annual earnings are distributed to the designated benefactors, in this case, John Paul II School. Endowments provide a “forever-giving” funding source for Catholic programs and activities. A gift in your will could establish an endowment and a lasting legacy for you, your family, and benefactor.
If you would like information on how you can leave a lasting legacy for yourself or a loved one, call the MCF office to set up an appointment at 605-999-9127.