Donna Marie (Erickson) Kavanaugh
May 18, 1928 ~ August 2, 2021
Donna’s Live Streamed Funeral Mass can be viewed below:
Donna’s Live Streamed Prayer Service can be viewed below:
Donna Kavanaugh passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior on August 2nd, 2021 at ninety-three years of age.
Donna was born on May 18, 1928 in Fargo, North Dakota to Ralph and Rose Erickson. Donna and her two sisters grew up in south Fargo, later moving to North Minneapolis when Ralph went to work in a munitions plant during the Second World War. After graduating from Minneapolis North High School in 1945, she attended the University of Minnesota where she earned a Journalism degree. She wrote a weekly column for the Waconia Patriot and the Fargo Forum newspapers as a feature writer before moving to California to start a magazine. This was later complimented by a nursing degree (RN) and a Masters in Counseling with a specialty in Addiction and Recovery.
In June of 1954, Donna married the love of her life, Dr. Gerald John Kavanaugh. They were blessed with four children: Ann, Kevin, Sheila and Peter. They resided in Rochester MN while Jerry was on the staff of the Mayo Clinic. During this time, Donna was president of the Rochester Art Center. Donna, Jerry and family later returned to Fargo where Donna proved to be a savvy bridge player, avid golfer, tennis fanatic, insatiable reader and active community member.
Donna was one of God’s rarities. She was beautiful, highly intelligent, exceptionally talented and had a gigantic heart. She also possessed a fine and sharp sense of humor. We will miss her and think about her every day going forward. There is a big hole in our lives now, though our memories of her will live forever.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents, sister Beverly, daughter Ann in 2006 and husband Jerry in 2014.
Donna is survived by her children Kevin (Terri), Sheila, and Peter (Tracy), and two grandchildren Holly and Matt; sister Rose Bernadine, and many nieces, nephews and additional relatives.
The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers at the Wellstead of Rogers, where Donna was one of the longest and most beloved residents of the Chickadee village. She will be greatly missed.
Memorials can be made to Brookdale Hospice ( https://www.brookdale.com/en/hospice.html) in Minneapolis, MN or to the Presentation Sisters (https://pbvmunion.org) in Fargo, ND.
Prayer Service: 6:00 P.M. Monday, August 9, 2021 at Boulger Funeral Home & Celebration of Life Center, Fargo with visitation starting at 5:00 P.M.
Mass of Christian Burial: 1:30 P.M. Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, West Fargo.
Interment: Holy Cross Cemetery North, Fargo.
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Dear Kavanaughs:
Please accept our deepest condolences on the loss of your mother. What a beautiful life she lived. Her laughter, hospitality, and thoughtful conversations were always a delight to encounter. Wishing you all Godspeed. With love from the Widiger family
I am so sorry to learn of Donna’s death. My sincere condolences to her family and friends.
I remember Donna for her leadership and ongoing support of the YWCA’s Shelter for Women. She made a difference in the lives of many women! May she rest in peace and may you, her family and friends, find peace in remembering her service to the Fargo community.
Peter, Sheila, & Kevin,
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. What a wonderful lady she was. May you be comforted by all of the happy memories in this time of grief. Thinking about you, Scott Hanna- Lake Stevens, WA
My sympathy on the loss of your mother. Also sympathy on the passing of your father which I hadn’t heard about. My husband John( now also passed) and I were fortunate to have acquired the Kavanaugh land west of Pingree in the 70’s and is still in my possession. I lost touch with Jerry and Donna in later years but had enjoyed corresponding with them. Your grandmother, Johanna, was also a special person.