Helen J. Cavanaugh, age 83, of Waterloo, Iowa, died on Sunday, March 19, 2017 at Cedar Valley Hospice Home with her family at her side.

Helen was born on June 21, 1933 in Reinbeck, Iowa; the daughter of Sieba and Anna (Bulthuis) Mennenga.

She married Robert Cavanaugh on April 20, 1954 in Blessing, Iowa. She worked as a homemaker. Helen was a devoted wife, mother, grandma, and great-grandma.

She is survived by her husband, Robert of Waterloo; four daughters: Diana (Doug) Delamore of Liberty, MO, Cindy (Jeff McLaren) Bamford of Waterloo, Wendy (Mark) Jordan of Waterloo, Becky Bulver of Waterloo; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Robert (Delores) Mennenga of Englewood, CO and Roger Mennenga of Garrison; a sister, Janet (Leonard) Brubaker of Reinbeck; two sisters-in-law, Jeanne Mennenga of Gladbrook and Kay Mennenga of Michigan; and many nieces and nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; three sons: Edward Cavanaugh, Robert Cavanaugh, and Daniel Cavanaugh; a son-in-law, Roger Bulver; four brothers: Henry Mennenga, Charles Mennenga, Walter Mennenga, and Jerry Mennenga; a sister, Annabell Petersen; a brother-in-law, Donald “Pete” Petersen; two sisters-in-law, Wilma Mennenga and Catherine”Betty” Mennenga; and a niece, Kathie Hall.