Obituary for Gerald Clarence "Jerry" Kavanaugh
Gerald “Jerry” Clarence Kavanaugh, age 82, of Basehor, Kansas passed away on Friday, February 23, 2024, while surrounded by his loving family. Visitation will be 10-11 am with the Funeral Mass beginning at 11 am, both on Thursday, Feb. 29th at the Holy Angels Catholic Church in Basehor. Burial to follow in the Holy Angels Cemetery. Memorial Contributions can be made to the DAV – Disabled American Veterans, or the Holy Angels Parish “Guarding Angels Fund”.
Jerry was born on September 10, 1941, in Sioux City, Iowa, and was one of seven children born to Clarence & Lorraine (Clifford) Kavanaugh. He grew up on the family farm near Elk Point, South Dakota, and graduated from Elk Point High School in the Class of 1959. Jerry then served in the U.S. Army until 1962. After serving in the Military, he began working as a Corrections Officer at the South Dakota State Penitentiary, where he met the love of his life Belva Rauscher, who also was working there. The couple married on April 24th, 1965 in Sioux Falls, SD where they made their home and their children were born. In 1972, Jerry began working for the Federal Bureau of Prisons where he had a long and distinguished career at multiple institutions all over the country. Jerry retired in 1998 and he and Belva moved to Basehor. Jerry then began driving a School Bus for the Piper School District, a job he thoroughly enjoyed. In his retirement, he had more time to enjoy Pheasant Hunting in Kansas and South Dakota, spending time with family, especially his grandchildren, and watching and feeding birds on his back deck.
Jerry was preceded in death by his Parents, one brother Kim Kavanaugh, and one sister-in-law Diane Kavanaugh.
Survivors include his wife Belva Kavanaugh of the home, and their two children: Steven Kavanaugh of Denver, CO, and Karla Kavanaugh and her husband Shannon Stevens of Basehor, two grandchildren: Justin and Julia Stevens of Basehor. Siblings: Jean Ann Van Wyk (Nelson) Pella, IA., Ralph Thomas Kavanaugh of Elk Point, SD., Kevin Douglas Kavanaugh (Barbara) of Sioux Falls, SD., Bruce Kent Kavanaugh (Patricia) of Springfield, MO., Quentin Michael Kavanaugh (Linda) of Safford, AZ., sister-in-law Tina Kavanaugh of Copperas Cove, TX., as well as other extended family and many, many friends.
Jerry was born on September 10, 1941, in Sioux City, Iowa, and was one of seven children born to Clarence & Lorraine (Clifford) Kavanaugh. He grew up on the family farm near Elk Point, South Dakota, and graduated from Elk Point High School in the Class of 1959. Jerry then served in the U.S. Army until 1962. After serving in the Military, he began working as a Corrections Officer at the South Dakota State Penitentiary, where he met the love of his life Belva Rauscher, who also was working there. The couple married on April 24th, 1965 in Sioux Falls, SD where they made their home and their children were born. In 1972, Jerry began working for the Federal Bureau of Prisons where he had a long and distinguished career at multiple institutions all over the country. Jerry retired in 1998 and he and Belva moved to Basehor. Jerry then began driving a School Bus for the Piper School District, a job he thoroughly enjoyed. In his retirement, he had more time to enjoy Pheasant Hunting in Kansas and South Dakota, spending time with family, especially his grandchildren, and watching and feeding birds on his back deck.
Jerry was preceded in death by his Parents, one brother Kim Kavanaugh, and one sister-in-law Diane Kavanaugh.
Survivors include his wife Belva Kavanaugh of the home, and their two children: Steven Kavanaugh of Denver, CO, and Karla Kavanaugh and her husband Shannon Stevens of Basehor, two grandchildren: Justin and Julia Stevens of Basehor. Siblings: Jean Ann Van Wyk (Nelson) Pella, IA., Ralph Thomas Kavanaugh of Elk Point, SD., Kevin Douglas Kavanaugh (Barbara) of Sioux Falls, SD., Bruce Kent Kavanaugh (Patricia) of Springfield, MO., Quentin Michael Kavanaugh (Linda) of Safford, AZ., sister-in-law Tina Kavanaugh of Copperas Cove, TX., as well as other extended family and many, many friends.