Charlene Elaine (Ludwig) Kavanaugh

Charlene Kavanaugh, 78, of Columbia passed away on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Charlene was born on August 8, 1946, in Lititz, Pennsylvania, to the late Charles and Esther (Zartman) Ludwig.  Her family moved to St. Louis Missouri when she was young, and she graduated from Normandy High school in 1964.  She had two years of college and worked at the newspaper office.  On May 27, 1967, she married Kenneth Kavanaugh in St. Louis, and he preceded her in death on December 19, 2019.   She began working for Ken’s father’s pipe organ and belfry service as an office manager, scheduling calls and doing invoices.  She continued with this until February of this year.  The couple moved to Columbia and built a home on Ken’s family’s land.  She has lived there ever since.

Charlene was an avid sports fan, especially St. Louis Cardinals and OKC Thunder basketball team.  She enjoyed spending time with friends and family, was always ready to help someone in need.  She enjoyed time spent outside, working with plants and vegetables, breeding and showing miniature horses.  She enjoyed sewing and was a talented seamstress.  She was outgoing, sociable and incredibly smart.

Charlene and Ken were unable to have children, so they became foster parents to around 30 kids over the years.  

Charlene is survived by her two adopted children, daughter, Jenni Kavanaugh; son, Jeffrey Kavanaugh and his son, Kellen; a younger sister, Cindy Ludwig Gurgos (Michael) and niece Taryn.

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