Bonnie Mccausland

Bonnie McCausland passed away in the early hours of Thursday, October 28, 2021.  She succumbed to complications from pancreatic cancer, which she had fought for 18 months from her initial, stage IV diagnosis.  Her last 18 months were some of her best.

Bonnie was born on October 11, 1946, the second of 5 children born to Bernie and Clarice Markwardt.  She grew up in Webster City, Iowa, and would ultimately graduate from Iowa Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Des Moines.  Her nursing education and skills would serve her well in many and varied positions over a 40-year career.  Her final nursing job was as office nurse in the family practice office of Dr. Ken Devries in Waunakee, WI.  She cared for everyone from new babies to the elderly and all those in between.  She thoroughly enjoyed the relationships she developed as a family practice nurse in the community.

Bonnie enjoyed volunteering at church and the nursing home sharing her musical talents by playing the piano.  She was also a weekly participant at the Waunakee Senior Center bridge club.  Bonnie loved to travel and some of her favorite trips circled around the annual “Cole” family reunion and the “cousins” trip which usually hosted in a warmer climate.

Bonnie married Joseph D. (Dan) McCausland in Neckarsulm, Germany in July of 1969.  Dan was in the U.S. Army at the time, and they thought he would complete his enlistment in Europe about 18 months later.  However, shortly after they married, he received orders to go to Viet Nam, which he did in late October of 1969.  Their first child, Joseph III, was born while Dan was in Viet Nam.  Upon his discharge from the Army they returned to Dan’s home in Beardstown, Illinois and began their lives as a family.  Their son Ryan would come along in 1973 and the family prospered with a number of opportunities due to his employment with Oscar Mayer.  Bonnie and Dan moved to the Madison area in 1987, where they found a home in Waunakee and have lived there ever since.

Bonnie is survived by her husband, Dan, sons Joe (Teresa) and Ryan (Jen), and six grandchildren – Erin, Joseph IV, Jackson, Connor, Henry, and Carly.  She was intensely proud of her family and went out of her way to spend time with her grandchildren.  She is also survived by her sister Pat (Don) Nokes, and brothers Steve and Ken.  She was predeceased by her parents, and brother Merle.

Bonnie would want everyone to celebrate her life with her family.  A visitation will take place at the Winn- Cress Funeral Home 5785 Hwy Q Waunakee on Wed Nov. 3, 2021 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Funeral services will take place on Thurs Nov 4, 2021 at 11:00a.m  at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 209 South St Waunakee in Waunakee. Monsignor James Gunn will officiate. Friends may call at the church on Thurs from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services. Burial will take place in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family will determine a memorial at a later date.

Winn-Cress Funeral Home

5785 Hwy Q

Waunakee, WI