Edna Cavanaugh

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Edna Cavanaugh, age 79, of Gettysburg, passed away suddenly on Sunday, November 29, 2015 at Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 5, 2015 at the United Methodist Church, Gettysburg with Pastor Jeff Adel officiating. Burial followed in the Gettysburg Cemetery. Visitation was held from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, December 4, 2015 with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, all at the church.

Edna Mae Cavanaugh was born July 4, 1936, on the family farm near DeGrey, SD, to George and Marie (Steiner) Bowman. Edna was the seventh of eight children. Her family farmed, ranched, and grew melons on the Missouri River.

She married the love of her life, Gene Cavanaugh, in November 1955, whom she met at one of the many area dances they loved to attend. She and Gene spent their lives farming, ranching, and raising their children on their farm west of Agar. In 1996, they moved their house to a vacant lot in Gettysburg where they lived until Gene’s health issues required him to move to a healthcare facility. Shortly after that, Edna sold the house and moved to an apartment where she lived until her death.

Edna was a life-long member of the Agar and Gettysburg United Methodist Churches. She was a fixture in the church choir and served as a church board member. For many years, she also sang with the Sully County Chorus, performing in the annual Christmas Cantata and at other special events. She served on the Agar School Board and completed training to become a Postmistress. Edna worked for a time at LaFave Electric and for many years at Paul Nelson Farms.

Edna’s cakes, which she made for birthdays, anniversaries, and any special occasion, were legendary. Her grandchildren loved her cakes and, especially, the extra frosting she would make to put on graham crackers. Edna took thousands of photographs, always telling her children and grandchildren, “Just one more”. After moving to Gettysburg, Edna took up scrapbooking, proudly organizing the photos she had taken. Edna and Gene loved square dancing and Edna even took up square dance calling for a time. They spent many hours driving to their children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events and activities.  

Edna is survived by children: Dan (Julie) Cavanaugh, Rapid City, Marty (Kelle) Cavanaugh, Rapid City, Barry (Laurie) Cavanaugh, Colorado Springs, CO, Lori (Larry) Stauss, Longmont, CO, and Carmen (Bob) Weber, Eureka; thirteen grandchildren; Michael (Lynn) Cavanaugh, Ryan Cavanaugh, PJ Cavanaugh, Elizabeth (Matt) Ward, Katelyn Cavanaugh, Emily Cavanaugh, Hannah Cavanaugh, Joey Stauss, Heidi Stauss, Courtney Weber, Jesse Weber, Megan Weber, and Melissa (Nate) Moyer; four great grandchildren; Jackson Cavanaugh, Henry Ward, Mariah Moyer, and Nadia Moyer; two brothers; one sister; numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews; and Edna and Gene’s “adopted” family, very special friends Ian and Annelize deKock and their daughter Lizaan.

Edna was preceded in death by her husband; an infant great grandson, Thomas Ward; her parents; three brothers; and one sister.

Memorial funds will be donated in Edna’s name to the Gettysburg United Methodist Church building fund.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Edna’s arrangements.