CAVANAUGH, Carol M., age 75

Died: Monday, October 28th, 2024

Victory Service: 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at Messiah Lutheran Church in Eau Claire

Visitation: from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at church

Interment: Rest Haven Cemetery, Town of Washington, Wisconsin

Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and my soul knows that very well.

The LORD God created Carol, both body and soul, and gave her first as a precious gift to Ossie Christianson and his wife Nada nee Dohms. Carol was born on May 22, 1949 in Eau Claire, a town she never left. Two months later God blessed Carol through the rebirth of her soul in baptism.

Carol attended Black Elementary School, North Jr. High School, and graduated with the class of 1967 from North High School. She received numerous meritorious awards at graduation including the Foreign Language Award, Social Studies Award, National Honor Society and was a member of the Student Counsel. Carol was also a member of the North High Band. Back then there was only one band, so they were the Concert Band, Pep Band, Marching Band and any place they needed a band, they were there.

I Peter 1:18-19 you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, not with things that pass away, such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like a lamb without blemish or spot.

Carol's parents left their former fellowship in obedience to the Word of God. The whole family, Carol, her older sister Nyla and younger brother Dave, became founding members of Messiah Lutheran Church and the new fellowship, the Church of the Lutheran Confession. Carol was confirmed at Messiah in June of 1963.

Carol was always very active in her church. She loved her Savior and knew that because He had died on the cross for her sins, she would be blessed with eternal life in Heaven. Carol loved helping people. If someone needed help, Carol was always there to lend a hand. You could see her at most funerals and other church functions helping to serve the lunch. She will be remembered for her quick smile and loving personality.

Genesis 2:18 The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is a suitable partner for him."

In 1971, Carol met the love of her life, David (Sox) Cavanaugh. In 1973 they were married at Messiah Lutheran Church, and they were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Amy Marie and Angela Sue. They spent many hours at softball fields, first watching Dave play fast and slow pitch softball, and as the girls got older they joined the ranks of ballplayers, starting with T-Ball and working their way up to baseball, then softball. Both girls also played basketball and volleyball, so the hours Dave and Carol spent on bleachers must number in the thousands.

Psalm 139:17-18 Your thoughts to me are so precious, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I would count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. I awake, and I am still with you.

Five years ago Carol was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and took treatments. Just a little over a week ago Carol was admitted to the hospital for a few days and then transferred to Dove South for a few more days before the Lord Jesus kept his promise and on Monday October 28th transferred Carol one more time to her eternal home in heaven. Her journey on earth was 75 years, 5 months, and 6 days. Her body will be buried at Rest Haven Cemetery to await its resurrection on the Last Day.

Those that have gone before Carol are her parents, Ossie and Nada Christianson; grandparents, Helmer and Selma Christianson and Herman and Georgianna Dohms; in-laws, Ralph and Emma Cavanaugh; six brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law.

Yet in the time of grace are: Carol's husband of 51 years, David; daughter, Amy, and her husband, Jeff Miller, of Eau Claire and their children, Seth and Emma; daughter, Angela, and her husband, Chad Kasper, of Appleton, WI and their children, Clay and Josie; sister, Nyla, and her husband, Clint Welker, of Blaine, MN and their son, Troy, his wife Kristin, of Beaver Creek, OH and their children, Thomas and Anna; brother, David Christianson, and his wife, Victoria, of Brookfield, WI and their children, Deandra and her husband, Jonathon Glasser of Long Beach, CA and their daughters, Penelope and Amelia, and Daniel of Onalaska, WI and his fiancée, Maddie Bowman; lifelong friend, Brenda Harvey of Carolina Shores, NC (Carol and Brenda grew up next door to each other, went to church together and First Grade through college together).

Psalms 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.