Jeff Kavanagh

Jeffrey 'Jeff' Eugene Kavanagh passed away November 24, 2021, at Sanford USD Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota due to Covid 19 pneumonia. Visitation will be held 10-11 a.m., followed by the memorial service at 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 3, 2021, at First Congregational Church in Appleton, Minnesota. Pastor Herbert Rotunda will officiate. Burial will be in Appleton City Cemetery. Jeff's family respectfully request that all guests wear a face mask at the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Special Olympics of Minnesota.

Jeff was born August 5, 1959, to Loren and Inga Irene 'Bonnie' Waarum Kavanagh at the Appleton Minnesota Hospital. He was baptized and confirmed at the First Congregational UCC church in Appleton. He graduated from Appleton High School with the class of 1979. Jeff lived in many group homes throughout his life. He lived with a foster family (Athey) on their dairy farm for 15 years. He then lived at Parkview Home at Hancock and most recently at a Divine House in Morris. Jeff loved working with the cattle at Athey's but also enjoyed his time at the 'workshop' DAC in Morris working with recycling.

He is survived by his parents, Loren and Bonnie Kavanagh of Appleton; sister, Lori (Craig) Schellberg of Spicer; brother, Joel (Brenda) Kavanagh of Appleton; nephew, Grant Schellberg (Ali Hesano) of St.Paul; aunts: Yvonne Kavanagh Hagstrom of Alexandria and Vera Kavanagh of Bemidji; and many cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by grandparents, Eugene and A Christine Waarum, Emerson and Ellen Kavanagh; aunts & uncles: Lucille and Alvin Brabender, Dorothy and Milton Krogsrud, Vivian and Leroy Swenson, Ray Kavanagh, Evelyn and Philip Battaglia, Lila A Waarum, Norma L. Waarum; cousins: Ricky Brabender, Keith Swenson, Scott Krogsrud and Curtis Krogsrud.  Also preceded in death by great uncle and aunt Henry and Lila Strand, whom he considered like grandparents and their son, John Strand.

Blessed be the memory of Jeff Kavanagh.