Teresa Ann McCausland (age 56, born July 23, 1968) died peacefully at her home in Waupaca on Friday May 16th, 2025, following a long battle with breast cancer; her family all present and supporting her for several days with supervised Hospice care. Her father G. Francis Bohan (Waterloo, IA) preceded her in death, and she is survived by her husband Joseph D. McCausland III (Waupaca, WI), three children Erin (Waupaca, WI), Joseph D. IV (Eau Claire, WI) and Connor (Seattle, WA) McCausland, mother Karen A. Bohan (Waupaca, WI), and brothers Mark F. (Wausau, WI) and Chris J. (Phoenix, AZ) Bohan.
Teresa was born in Waterloo, IA where she graduated from Columbus Catholic High School in 1986 and then attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City where she met her future husband, graduating in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology. Teresa and Joe married and moved to Madison, WI where she worked at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals doing breast cancer research. They later moved to Missouri and when Joe started medical school, she was hired to teach medical students chemistry at the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. However, Teresa’s primary joy was being a mother, and with a growing family she dedicated her life full-time to love and support of her children; seeing them grow into happy, responsible, and well-adjusted adults was all the reward she desired. She also loved travel, music, theater, books, local festivals and community activities, gardening, and Hawkeye sports; and spent years sharing her love of reading with grade school children both as a volunteer and teacher’s aide in Waupaca schools. Teresa was also active in the children’s and women’s ministries at Faith Community Church in Waupaca; she was loved by many friends and neighbors who got to know her over years of service in the church, and school library. All her children are musicians, and she loved attending their concerts and recitals; she was a proud supporter of community arts, theater, and music education in Waupaca for many years.
Teresa shared life with her husband for more than 30 years, 23 of which they called Waupaca, WI, home. Her humble, affirming nature has influenced countless lives in their community and beyond and she will be greatly missed by many. In addition to recognizing endless support and love from wonderful families and friends, Teresa and Joe want to share special thanks and appreciation for the nurses and other staff at the Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic in Oshkosh, who provided such kind and comprehensive care over the last several years; and for Aurora hospice staff, whose skill and compassion were clearly evident from the first visit. All of these caregivers have our eternal gratitude for their roles on our journey. We believe that Teresa is now with Jesus, and ultimately we will celebrate her life and honor her memory in various ways, understanding that at this time we are sad and broken and grieving our loss. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests that everyone who is able consider donating blood or time to the American Red Cross or other community and hospital-based blood centers, as recurring transfusions greatly improved quality of life in the final months of her struggle with breast cancer.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 4:30 PM with reception to follow at Faith Community Church in Waupaca – a visitation opportunity with family will be Tuesday June 3, 2025 from 4pm to 7pm at the Church. Our family looks forward to experiencing all the well-wishes, personal stories and connections, and all manner of love and support we are confident Teresa has inspired over the years. Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements.
