Leon Fabian Cavanaugh, 63, of the Spirit Lake Nation, began his journey to the Spirit World on Sunday, January 8, 2023 at the Bethany Retirement Living in Fargo, ND.

The Wake for Leon will begin at 5:00 PM Thursday, January 12, 2023 at the Nelson Funeral Home in Maddock, ND followed by a Scripture Service at 7:00 PM.  Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, January 13, 2023 at the Crow Hill Rec Center in Fort Totten, ND.  The procession will be leaving Friday at 8:45 AM from Hwy 281/ Hwy 57 Junction to the Crow Hill Rec Center. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM on Friday at the Crow Hill Rec Center.  Burial will be held at the Crow Hill Presbyterian Cemetery.  Casket Bearers are Jesse Cavanaugh, Dedrick GreyBear, Russell Baker, Galen GreyBear, Grant Cavanaugh, Paul Cavanaugh, David Dunn and Josiah Brown.  Honorary Casket Bearers are Joseph 'Cowboy' (Jannette) Lawrence, John (Marva) Tollefson, Dominic LittleGhost, Jeremiah (Nancy) Robertson, Pinky Driver, Darrell Lawrence, Susie Fox and Elaine Robinson.

Leon Fabian Cavanaugh was born October 12, 1959 to William Cavanaugh and Bernice (Longie) Juarez in Devils Lake, ND.  He was educated at the Little Flower Catholic Mission in St. Michael, ND in elementary school, Wahpeton Boarding School in Wahpeton, ND for junior high, Minot Central High School and graduating from Fort Totten High School with the class of 1978.

Leon attended Haskell Indian Junior College in Lawrence, KS in 1980, where he met and later married his first wife, Denise Burr in 1987.  They had two daughters, Laura Lee and Sarah Lee.  Leon enlisted in the United States Navy in 1987 and was stationed in Norfolk, VA on the USS Guam.  He was selected as the USS Guan's Junior Sailor of the Quarter for the First Quarter 1989 for "his consistent 'can-do' attitude and the spirit and attitude he approached his duties were sterling examples for others to follow".  Leon was injured and hospitalized while on active duty in Norfolk.   He was Honorably Discharged on September 13, 1991, decorated with the National Defense Service Medal, the Battle Efficiency Medal and Sea Service Ribbon.

Leon and Denise moved to Grand Forks, ND and Watford City, ND before settling in Fargo, ND.  The couple separated a short time after and Leon was married Lisa Beston, for a brief period.  Even though Leon was disabled from the military, he enjoyed working in the yard and being active.  He worked various part time jobs in Fargo and Valley City, ND.  Leon was united in marriage to Debra Olson on June 7, 2002 in Fargo, ND where they resided until his passing.

Leon enjoyed watching sporting events, especially football and basketball, as he never missed a Minnesota Vikings Football game.  He liked watching Western movies and would stay current with the local news every day and never missed The Price Is Right and Wheel of Fortune.  Leon also enjoyed playing BINGO, trips to the Casino to play slot machines and playing cards with his family and friends.  He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Leon is survived by his wife, Debra; son, Russell Baker of Williston, ND; daughters, Laura Lee Cavanaugh and Sarah Lee Cavanaugh of Fort Worth, TX; god-son, Jubal of Devils Lake, ND; 6 grandchildren, Maddy, Sheldon, Skyla (Dominic) Mercedes, Sydney and Sada; 2 step-grandchildren, Dominic and Talaijah LittleGhost; great-grandchild, Baby Dean; siblings, Annabel Demarce, Paul H. Cavanaugh, Jesse (Angela) Cavanaugh, Isabel (Clarence) LeftBear, Guadalupe (Darnelle) Crawford, Tim Longie JR., Rob Longie, Tom Longie and Teri Longie; aunts, M. Yvonne Longie, Myrna Greene and Genevieve Liberty.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, William (Billy Boy) Cavanaugh; grandparents, Frank and Sylvia Cavanaugh, William N. Longie SR. and Jeanette Goodhouse and Maggie Moxness; grandson, Julian Demarce; uncles, Tim Longie, Willy Longie, George Longie, Sammy Longie, Lil Dave Longie, Fred Longie, Rick Longie, Gene Cavanaugh and Dominic Strait; aunts, Evangeline White and Mary (Babe) Longie; nephews, Chris Cavanaugh and Samuel Demarce.