Delores “Del” Marie (Hopp) McCauley, 74, of the Village of Lake Delton, passed away with family by her side on July 15, 2024.  Del was the first child born to Zetta (Thurston) and Aloize Hopp on September 7, 1949 in Portage, WI.

On March 5, 1968 she was united in marriage to James “Jay” McCauley.  This union blessed them with three children; Sherri, Jimmy, and Tina. While Jay was on the road trucking (if she wasn’t along for the ride), Del was fiercely independent at home. Truly a “jack of all trades”-not only did she take care of their three children and the farm, but she also worked at an array of different jobs over the years-Camp Chi, Pancake House, Rayovac, Perry Printing (RR Donnelly), Flambeau, Hitchcock’s Citgo Gas Station, and most recently, The Wisconsin Opry and Craft Mall in the Café.

Her family was one of her greatest joys, and that was always shown in the holiday family get-togethers at Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.  It didn’t feel like a holiday if it wasn’t at Grandma Del and Grandpa Jay’s house. Del loved to cook and bake for the entire family-her famous pie crust recipe “by touch” is one that no one has been able to replicate and one of the many things that will be missed deeply by her family. Anyone visiting never went home hungry-she loved to cook and bake for everyone. While sitting at their table, you could always count on a hot cup of coffee while she roped you in to watch Wheel of Fortune, Bold and the Beautiful, or rodeo.  Del also loved great conversation-her laughter was infectious and will be missed by all that loved her. Other loves of Del’s included her love of horses-which can be seen the moment one walks into her house, watching the Game Show Network, the Kentucky Derby, riding the Tilt-a-Whirl, and a good brandy old fashion sweet. Delores always had an eye for landscaping and always had the most beautiful flower gardens. This year was the first year she saw her years old fuchsia bloom which can’t be coincidental.

She is preceded in death by her mother and father, Aloize and Zetta Hopp, sister Nancy Tolbert, and baby sister Donna. 

Delores left behind her beloved husband of 56 years, James McCauley; her three children: Sherri (Randy Schneider), Jimmy McCauley, and Tina Rios; 9 grandchildren: Valerie (Shawn Eastman), Ashley Schneider (Gary Schroeder), Eric (Sara) Schneider, Dustin Schneider, Kaylin (Austin Manglitz), Nathan McCauley, Jaiden McCauley, Ana Rios, and Sofia Rios; 5 great-grandchildren: Joshua, Leona, Edmund, Henry, and Oaklynn; and her best friend: Artie; along with many other family and friends.

We love you and will all miss you dearly, Grandma.

The family would like to give a very heart-felt thank you to Agrace Hospice for all the kindness and compassion shown to not only Del, but our entire family in the final months of Delores’s life.

Funeral services for Delores ‘Del’ McCauley will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at the Farber Funeral Home in Reedsburg with Father Garrett Kau officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 9:00 A.M. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Burial will be made in the Lake Delton Village Cemetery.