Francis “Frank” Louis McCauley, 95, of Dubuque, Iowa passed away peacefully at Grand Meadows Nursing Home on December 20, 2024 with his loving wife Fay by his side. Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, December 30th at Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Funeral Home in Dubuque where a vigil prayer service will begin at 3:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 31st at St. Columbkille’s Catholic Church in Dubuque with the second visitation from 9:15-10:15 a.m. at the Church. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Key West where military rites will be accorded. A livestream of the funeral can be viewed at www.egelhofsiegertcasper.com

Frank was born on December 6, 1929 in Dubuque, son of Sylvester and Bernice McCauley. He graduated from St. Columbkille’s High School in 1947 and Loras College in 1951. During his college years, he worked at the Dubuque Packing Company where he met the love of his life, Fay Smith. After graduation, Frank was selected to serve in the Korean War conflict and considered himself fortunate to have been sent to Panama. While stationed in Panama, Frank and Fay were married at Albrook AFB on December 31, 1952 by his former Loras College professor, Fr. Philip Hamilton, Chaplain.

Frank worked most of his life in the insurance business and at John Deere. After retirement, Frank worked part-time as a dealer on the area riverboats and was chosen Employee of the Year on the Silver Eagle in East Dubuque.

Along with his wife, they founded the Tri-State Twirlers Square and Round Dance Club and enjoyed square dancing for 25 years. He and his wife also taught round dancing for 18 years. They hosted the first state convention in Dubuque in 1976, attended by over 2,500 dancers, a record number that still stands.

Even when those days ended, you could find Frank and Fay out dancing somewhere. They were great dancers.

Frank also enjoyed watching his children participate in many activities and in later years, those of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also enjoyed attending his son’s many music gigs over the years. He and Fay were always up dancing and singing along.

Frank was an avid, life-long Notre Dame fan, seeing his first game at age nine in 1939, an Iowa victory (7-6) behind Hawkeye legend Nile Kinnick. In Frank’s eyes, there was no team greater than the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Frank was able to participate in an Honor Flight in 2011 and considered his trip to be a highlight of his life.

Frank and Fay were able to take a trip back to Panama in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary, a gift from their children.

Frank was a member of St. Columbkille’s Parish for most of his life.

Frank is survived by his wife of 71 years, Fay. They would have been married 72 years this New Year’s Eve. Frank is also survived by his four children and their spouses, Connie (Greg) Dykema of Geneseo, IL and Ft. Myers, FL, Kathy (Wade) Ireland of Fairfax, IA, Terry (Taunya Kepple) of Marion, IA, and Lisa (Dan) Arenholz of Blue Grass, IA, grandchildren, Nick (Angie) Ireland, Matt (Maggie) Ireland, Tony (Sara) Ireland, Jared Ireland, Alyx Dykema, Sydney (Daniel) Serrano, Lindsay Ireland (fiancé Jerod Staton), Brittany McCauley, Dylan and Jada Arenholz, and step-granddaughter Toby (Marcus) Greenwood, great-grandchildren, Grace, Maddie, Addy, James, Frank, Oscar and Gloria Ireland, and Ryleigh and Kamryn Serrano. Frank is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, his mother and father-in-law, William and Myrtle Smith, his sister and brother-in-law, Sally and Bob Voels, brother and sister-in-law Mike and JoAnn McCauley, two sister and brother-in-laws, Marge and Ade Lane, and Ruth and Ralph Klumb, nephews Roger Klumb and Greg Lane, and nieces Wendy Lane and Barb (Voels) Pettitt.

Memorials may be directed to St. Columbkille’s Parish, Hospice of Dubuque, or to the family.

The family would like to send a special thanks to Amanda Bradac and to Hospice of Dubuque for their exemplary care and concern given to Frank during his final weeks