Paul J. Cavanaugh, age 82, of Storm Lake, Iowa died on Saturday, December 6, 2008 at his home following a lengthy illness.

Funeral mass was said at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Reverend Bruce Lawler celebrated the Mass for Christian Burial. Interment is in the church cemetery. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

Visitation was held from 3-8:00 pm, Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake, where the family was present. A Legion of Mary rosary was recited at 3:30 p.m. and a parish vigil service was held at 7:00 p.m., all at the funeral home.

Paul James Cavanaugh was born on June 25, 1926 to Patrick and Margaret (McKenna) Cavanaugh in Alta, Iowa. He attended grade school and high school in Sulphur Springs, Iowa, graduating in 1943.

A life-long Catholic, Paul was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

On August 31, 1957, Paul was united in marriage to Jean Ellis at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wall Lake. This union was blessed with four children: Paula, Mary, Patty, and Mike. Paul and Jean raised their family and made their livelihood on the Cavanaugh family farm near Sulphur Springs, until moving to Storm Lake in 1990.

Paul loved sports, especially basketball and Notre Dame football. He enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren, loved the farm, and their vacation trips to Okoboji. Paul will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 51 years, Jean; his children: Paula Lindquist and her husband, Kenny of Albert City, Iowa; Mary Hendriks and her husband Vic of Jefferson, South Dakota; Patty Rohlk and her husband Ryan of West Okoboji, Iowa; Mike Cavanaugh and his wife Jeanie of Storm Lake; grandchildren: Tyler, Andrea, Nicole and Connor Lindquist, Evan Hendriks, Maggie and Olivia Rohlk, Amanda, Lindsey, Paige and Dylan Cavanaugh; sisters-in-law: Dorothe Cavanaugh of Newell, Iowa and Eloise Cavanaugh of Michigan City, Indiana; brother-in-law, Jack Ellis of Iowa City, Iowa.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers: LaVerne, Cecil and Donald Cavanaugh; and a sister, Veronica Dell.