Theresa A. (McNeill) Needham

Theresa A. (McNeill) Needham

Mukwonago, WI

Theresa A. (McNeill) Needham of Mukwonago, WI, formerly of Cedar Rapids, IA, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on December 26, 2025, at the age of 64. She is the loving and devoted wife of 39 years of Patrick Needham; proud mother of Alexander and Nicholas Needham; caring sister of Dianne (Larry) Wagner, Barb (Fran) Henderson, Fredrich (Linda) Clarkson, Marcia Kelly, and James (Kent) McNeill III. She is further survived by other relatives and many friends. Theresa was preceded by her parents James Jr. and Maxine McNeill, and stepmother Dee McNeill.

At age 12 Theresa asked her Aunt Mary to teach her how to sew. Aunt Mary has said, “Theresa quickly passed me in her sewing skills.” She was a talented and creative seamstress. From 2017 through 2025 she owned and operated an Etsy online account. “Theresa’s Sewing Shop” sold nearly 4,000 mail-order handmade and vintage items. Her customer reviews were almost always 5-stars for quality and fast shipping. She also enjoyed selling handmade items at craft shows. She was ambitious and started waiting tables, in Cedar Rapids, at age 16 at Western Sizlin’ restaurant. Then she branched out to retail with Younkers and Von Mauer department stores. Theresa graduated from Washington Sr. High in 1979. She went on and earned her associate’s degree from Kirkwood for Interior Design and Retail Marketing. Her work career included in Iowa, State Farm Insurance office and Roush Products, in Illinois, Unisys Corporation and Principal Financial, then she retired early to raise a family and become a home manager. Theresa was a wonderful wife, mother, and business partner. She provided unconditional love and family support. In our career advancement she held the family together during Patrick’s career moves to Illinois, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin. I could not have done it without her. She enjoyed travelling to Japan, Russia, Mexico, Canada, Bahamas, visiting family in Iowa, New York, California, Florida, exploring National Parks and cities all over the United States. She enjoyed concerts, restaurants, camping, shopping, our previous Shih-Tzu’s, and Luna our standard poodle. But most of all she loved attending her boy’s athletic events and spending time with family. With her love, encouragement, and support, she is enormously proud of both of her son’s accomplishments. As they continue with their college academics and wrestling, she will be with them in spirit to guide them toward college graduation and their future careers. Theresa was such a joy and blessing in our lives. She will be forever loved, deeply missed, and always remembered.

Theresa was a member of St. James Catholic Church in Mukwonago. Thank you for the loving support from Father Denny, ProHealth Oncology, and Angel’s Grace Hospice in Oconomowoc.

On April 11, 2026, a memorial service and Theresa’s life celebration will be at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories in Cedar Rapids, IA. Visitation at 9:00 AM, service at 11:00 AM. Lunch will be served after the service at the Cedar Memorial Family Center. Memorial donations in memory of Theresa can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, https://www.stjude.org/ or the American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org/.