Grace Marian Cavanaugh, 97, of Reinbeck, Iowa, died Saturday, January 28, 2006, at Parkview Manor in Reinbeck, Iowa. Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, January 31, 2006, at French-Hand Funeral Home in Reinbeck, with Pastor Joel Love officiating. Burial will follow at the Reinbeck Cemetery in Reinbeck. Visitation will be Monday, January 30, 2006, from 12:00 Noon until 7:30 P.M.; with the family present to greet friends from 4:00 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. at French-Hand Funeral Home in Reinbeck. A memorial fund has been established.
Grace was born December 17, 1908, at home on the farm in rural Reinbeck, Iowa, the daughter of Hans and Amanda (Strohbehn) Ehlers. Grace attended rural Dinsdale country school. On February 4, 1931, Grace was united in marriage to Merle Raymond Cavanaugh at the Catholic Church in La Porte City, Iowa. After their marriage, they farmed in rural Dinsdale, Iowa, until retiring and moving to Reinbeck on January 2, 1975. Merle died on December 10, 1984, and Grace continued to make Reinbeck her home. Grace enjoyed bowling, was a member of the Essie's Kitchen Band, and a member of the Christian Women's Organization. She and her sister Irene went back to school and attended Hawkeye Technical Institute, both earning their GED's; graduating on December 13, 1974. Grace received her Marksmanship First Class Certification from the National Rifle Association on August 7, 1975.
She is survived by her daughter Jane Vajgrt and her husband Leonard of Reinbeck, Iowa; two grandsons Mark Bystricky and his wife Jana of Reinbeck, Iowa; Jon Bystricky and his wife Cody of Reinbeck, Iowa; three great-grandchildren Brock and Carsen Bystricky, and Lauren Grace Bystricky; two sisters Irene Toben and Bertha Steffen-both residents at Parkview Manor in Reinbeck; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Merle R. Cavanaugh; one son-in-law David Bystricky; three brothers George, Lyman, and John Ehlers; and one sister Edna Paton.