Bernard Cavanaugh

Bernard Cavanaugh, age 82, of De Smet, SD, passed away on Monday, April 14, 2025, at the Good Samaritan Society in De Smet, SD.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, April 25, 2025, at St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church in De Smet, SD. Father Larry Regynski will officiate with music provided by Jamie Gauer as organist. Active pallbearers will be Scott Woodward, Nick Woodward, Nick Bjorkman, Brian Cavanaugh, George Cavanaugh, and Mathews Vattamala with the honorary pallbearer will be Art Geyer. The service will be livestreamed via the Crawford-Osthus website.

Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM on Thursday, April 24, 2024, at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Home in De Smet, SD.

Burial at St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery in De Smet, SD.

Bernard was born on April 22, 1942, to Earl and Clara Cavanaugh in De Smet, SD, where he lived the majority of his life until his passing on April 14, 2025. Bernard’s death was the result of a recent massive stroke, which limited his mobility and ability to communicate, eat or swallow. He survived for a few weeks, which allowed many of those close to him to share their fondest memories and express to him how dearly he was loved.

While early in his life he held a variety of jobs, from truck driver to "stay at home grandpa to Nick,” for the past 40 years, he worked as a farm hand at Art Geyer Livestock. Working outside and with cattle brought him immense happiness. He considered Art Geyer and his family to be an extension of his own.

Bernard was a kind, compassionate, generous and hard-working person. He lived a simple but fulfilled life and rarely complained. He was quiet but also someone who would befriend every person he would meet.

Many have shared fond memories of Bernard since his stroke and passing. He was a good, decent and loving person who many will miss. Many spoke of his daily snails-paced drives around De Smet and throughout the areas (Who are we kidding, a snail would be faster). He was also a consistent fixture at all the local watering holes, both past and present, including Wheaties, Klinkel’s III, Wallum’s Corner, The Hitching Post, and the Cabaret in Carthage. He enjoyed rolling dice, talking to friends and strangers and playing the video poker machines.

Bernard valued people more than things or money. He drove his kids crazy knowing he had drawers full of new clothes but would wear the same old stuff until they were completely worn out.  He loved watching westerns on TV and reading the newspaper from cover to cover. He looked forward to his twice-weekly calls with his sister Mary Lou and his holiday meals from Vicki McCune.

Bernard was a practical joker. His sons, Mike and Jim, fondly remember as young kids being asked to help him remove his cowboy boots, only to struggle with Bernard laughing hysterically (because he would curl his toes, making the boots nearly impossible to remove).  Another time, he schemed with his grandson Scott to convince his wife Judy that he had one of his ears pierced. The earring was magnetic, and he kept switching which ear it was on until Judy caught on.

The stories about Bernard are endless, and his family wants everyone to share their favorite memories.  Celebrate his life in stories rather than grieve the person we’ve lost. 

Bernard is now reunited with his wife Judy (Leitholt), his mom and dad, Earl and Mary Clara (Maney) Cavanaugh, his sisters and brother, Margaret Hendrix, Alice Rounseville Phelps, Delores (Dee) Likewise, and Donald Cavanaugh, two of his sons, Daniel Woodward, and Steve Woodward, and his daughter-in-law, Annie Woodward. 

He is survived by his sister Mary Lou Evans; his brother-in-law, Larry Likewise, sister-in-law Suzanne (Skyberg) Cavanaugh, three sons, Michael Woodward, James Cavanaugh (Mathews Vattamala) and Michael Palmer; four grandchildren, Nicholas Woodward, Scott Woodward, Matthew Woodward (Kobi) and Jacob Woodward; five great-grandchildren, Cylie, Tory, Colton, Ford and Hudson, as well as many other loving family members and friends.

Condolences can be sent to Jim Cavanaugh, 3603 SW Array Ave, Bentonville, AR 72713

Arrangements have been entrusted to Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel

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