Kisses For Cade

Almost five months after suffering life threatening injuries in a car accident, Edennative Cade Roerig has made strides in his recovery including being able to walk without a cane over the past month. Helping Roerig along was a recent fundraiser held during the Day County Fair in which members of the public voted for a local celebrity to kiss a pig by using cash as votes. The event ended in a tie but raised over $15,000 for Roerig.

In March, Roerig, who was 19 at the time, was traveling westbound on South Dakota Highway 10 when an on-coming vehicle drifted into Roerig’s lane. According to Roerig, he did not have time to react. The two vehicles collided head on.

The driver of the east bound vehicle, William Krafka, Havanna, ND, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Roerig was first transported to an Aberdeen hospital and was then flown to a hospital in Sioux Falls. He underwent surgery for a broken femur. Besides the broken femur, Roerig also sustained a broken tibia, pelvis, nose, collar bone, an injured spleen and bruised lungs. He has undergone multiple surgeries for his injuries.

“The road was in good shape (the day of the accident). There were no real issues with the road,” Roerig said. “I still have some memory issues of what happened after the accident. I did end up spending about three weeks in the hospital in Sioux Falls.”

“Now, I am doing good and I am feeling good,” Roerig said. “I have been doing physical therapy which has helped my left leg. It has taken me about three and a half months to get back to walking again with a cane, and I have been able to walk without the help of a cane for the past month.”

Roerig has now returned to Lake Area Technical College in Watertown to continue his education. He plans to get a diesel mechanic degree. He wants to work as a diesel mechanic and one day take over his grandfather’s farm in the area.

During the Kiss The Pig Contest at the fair recently, Roerig was on hand to present the pig to the winners to kiss. He held a piglet for the “winners,” Chris Barse and Danny Kjos, to kiss.

Kjos is a Day County Commissioner, and Barse is a member of the Day County Fair Board.

“It was a fun contest having to see them kiss the pig,” Roerig said. “People in the community have been very generous in their support.”

Throughout the weekend Barse and Kjos were neck and neck in raising funds for Roerig. When it came to the final tally, they both tied and by rules of the contest, they both had to kiss the pig. Initially, a large nearly 300 pound pig was brought into the sale ring. Both Barse and Kjos said they were worried they would have to kiss the large hog. They said they were pleasantly surprised when Roerig walked in with a little piglet instead.

“I was surprised that I won. I think it might have been me wearing the cow costume which led me to getting more votes,” Barse said. “Its nose was wet and felt like a big sloppy kiss on its snout. I hope this is the only time I have to do this.”

Barse said he is happy how Roerig is doing. He said Roerig has been involved with Day County 4-H for many years. Barse has known the Roerig family for a long time and was happy to raise money for Roerig’s recovery, he said.

After kiss the pig contest a large pig was auctioned off with the total amount raised from the auction at $13,000.

Roerig is the son of Trent and Jennifer Roerig of Eden.