Dawn M. Cuadra

Dawn Melody Cuadra, age 83, passed away Friday, April 4, 2025, surrounded by family at her home. She was born in Racine, WI, April 12, 1941, the 4th of 6 children of the late Earl and Emma (Nee: Principe) Van Der Wielen. Dawn attended Wm Horlick High School.

On July 18, 1959, at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church she was united in marriage to the “Love of her Life” Joseph A. Cuadra, Sr. They raised 5 children in Racine before Joseph’s job took them to Memphis, TN for 27 years retiring back to Racine in 2009. Before moving to Memphis, she worked at In-Sink-Erator and Western Publishing. Dawn was an excellent cake decorator and had worked at Krogers in Memphis, TN. Dawn was an avid reader who enjoyed collecting porcelain dolls. Above all she treasured time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who will be dearly missed.

Surviving are her husband of 65 years, Joseph; her children, Joseph (Laurie) Cuadra, Jr., Deani (Steve) Driver, Cathy -Lynn May, Anissa (Bruce) Chitwood, Elizabeth Cuadra; grandchildren, Matthew (Emily) Cuadra, Alexandra (Christopher) Dollar, Bill (Becca) Driver, Kevin (Caroline) Brown, Carl Chitwood, Mary (Stan) McKenzie, Emily Chitwood, Tyer Jian Cuadra; 11 great grandchildren, Bella, Briseida, Yan, Leo, Archie, Christopher, Abilene, Sylvester, Ellison, Olivia, Alana; brothers, Earl (Barbara) Van Der Wielen, Jr., Michael (Kris) Van Der Wielen, Tony (Jane) Van Der Wielen; sister, Patricia Valadez; in-laws, Norm Black, Isabel (Bill) Cavelli, Millie Pletkin, Maria Elena Cuadra, Victoria Cuadra; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandson, Christopher Cuadra; son-in-law, John May; sister, Evelyna “Dolly” Black; and brothers-in-law, Enrique “Rick” Cuadra, Peter Cuadra, and Alex Plekin.

A ‘Celebration of Life’ will be held July 3, 2025 3 pm until the Fireworks. In lieu of flowers, donations and/or memorials to Boys Town have been suggested.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Dr. Dajuan Wang, Dr. Lisa Simonds, Hospice nurse, Kim and home nurse Amanda for their loving and compassionate care.