Katherine Marie McCaulley

Katherine Marie (Leist) McCaulley, 60, of Sturgeon Bay, with her family at her side, awoke in the arms of the Lord on Friday, October 17, 2025.
She was born April 22, 1965 in Sturgeon Bay to John Timothy Leist and Dorothy Mae (Bochek) Leist of Valmy. Katherine attended Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Grade School and Church in Institute where she received the Sacraments of: Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation. She graduated from Sevastopol High School, Class of 1983, with Valedictorian Honors.
Katherine worked in Sturgeon Bay for the Supervisor of Shipbuilding, U.S. Navy Office as a Data Specialist until its closure in 1996. She then worked as an Accounting Manager for ERA Starr Realty from 1996 until her death.
Katherine married the love of her life, her soulmate, best friend and dancing partner, Thomas McCaulley, on August 29, 1987. Together, they were blessed with three beautiful children, John, Sarah, and Michael.
Music and singing were an integral part of her life. Katherine enjoyed raising her voice in song to the Lord and was a member of both Saints Peter & Paul and St. Joseph choirs for over 44 years, starting as a teenager singing with her parents. She found beauty in the simplicity of life and her love for gardening, cooking, visiting the family farm, fishing, dancing, crocheting and playing a good game of cribbage. Katherine especially cherished the time shared with her children, grandchildren, extended family, and friends.
Above all, she was a woman of strong faith. Her unwavering devotion to her values could be deeply felt by her family, church community, and every soul blessed to meet her. Katherine trusted in her faith to give her wings and carry her through all times. Through her connection with The Father, she admirably continued to choose life and love.
Katherine's love will live on in the hearts of her husband, Tom of 38 years; children, John (Amanda) McCaulley of Brussels, Sarah (Joel) Kulesa of Eau Claire, and Michael (Emily DeGroot) McCaulley of Algoma; grandchildren, Shiloh and Sullivan, Josslyn, Reegan, and Colin, and Maxwell, non-biological grandchildren, Alaina DeGroot and Mason Brauer; siblings, Thomas (Karen) Leist Sturgeon Bay, Edward (Diane) Leist of Valmy, and Mary (Mark) Vandenbusch of Green Bay; siblings-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Dorothy Leist; parents-in-law, Harold and Henrietta (nee Schaaf) McCaulley, and siblings-in-law, Leon McCaulley, Annette (Merlin) Perrin, and Brian Burant.
Katherine's life will be honored with a Mass of Christian Burial prayed at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 110 N. 5th Avenue, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 with Fr. Matthew Rappl as celebrant and Dcn. Mark Bortle assisting. She will be laid to rest in Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery in Institute, near the (Catholic) school playground she grew up playing on.
The Rosary will be prayed at 3:40 p.m. on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at Huehns Funeral Home, 1414 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 with visitation beginning at 4:00 p.m. A prayer service will conclude the evening at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 from 9:15 a.m. until 10:40 a.m.
"Our family would like to express heartfelt thanks to ERA Starr Realty, Bill Graf, Mary Gilson Prayer Group, Emplify Oncology, Ascension at Home, Unity Hospice, and Jay's Legacy Home Care."
Memorials may be given in her name for DOOR CANcer, Inc. (P.O. Box 423, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235; www.doorcancer.com/donate); or Unity Hospice (2366 Oak Ridge Circle, De Pere, WI 54115; www.unityhospice.org/donate).
Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Katherine may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.HuehnsFuneralHome.com.
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