Margaret M. (Upah) Caswell

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mom, Margaret Upah Caswell of Elk River, Minnesota who died of ovarian cancer on Sunday, August 31, 2025.

Margaret was born and raised in Vining, Iowa with her seven siblings. Margaret moved to Minneapolis after college where she met the love of her life, her husband Gary, married for 40 years until his untimely death in 2007. They shared a devoted relationship with each other, which was apparent to all who knew them. They had three amazing children who were the pride and joy of their lives. As a registered nurse, Margaret was fortunate to share her nursing skills, warmth, and compassion with the patients under her care. She went on to become an ICU nurse, accredited cardiac nurse, a nationally certified case manager, and a medical consultant/paralegal for a personal injury law firm. During her extensive career she never tired of her first love, bedside nursing.

Margaret and Gary traveled extensively, loved to fish, golf, dance, and spend time at their retirement lake home near Brainerd, entertaining friends, and hosting her large family. She had the gift of hospitality and kindness and reached out to those who were in a difficult situation. She lived the verse from the Bible that “in the end we shall be judged by our works of mercy.” All were welcome in her home. She accepted and loved the countless friends that her children brought home. She had no greater pleasure than getting her hands dirty tending to her vegetable gardens and flowers. Following Gary’s death, she continued to travel, take photos and journal about her various trips, during which she toured 6 out of the 7 continents. Wherever life took our mom, she easily found a circle of new friends and life-long acquaintances.

Margaret was active in St. Andrew’s parish, always seeking to deepen her faith. She professed as a lay Franciscan after 3 years of study. She enjoyed volunteering at many community organizations, as well as ministering to countless Hospice patients in three different states. In her later years, she loved to garden, read, sew quilts, bake dozens of Christmas cookies, spend time with her friends, and attend social outings. She was selfless in her love of her children, their spouses, her grandchildren and extended family and friends. Her 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren brought her much joy and comfort.

She is survived by her son Ty Caswell, and his wife Jill, son Jason Caswell and his wife Pam, daughter Kelly and her husband Bret, grandchildren Preston, Connor, Bryce (Lexi), Alex (Emily), Becky, Trevor (Alexis), Grace and Olivia, great-grandchildren Harrison, Henry, Maddie, Finn and Fisher, sister Eleanor Rohde, sister in law Maxine Upah, sister in law Terry Upah, brother Paul Upah, brother Loren Upah and his wife Diane, sister Dr. Vicki Burford and her husband Dr. Duncan Burford, sister Jean Posusta and long term partner Steve, and longtime dear friends Tom and Lynn Harten. God grant us the strength to accept our loss and may everyone who was touched by her presence do an act of kindness in her memory.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Hospice of the Midwest and the staff at Freemont Village Senior Living for their loving care of our mother during her final months, weeks and days of life. Your kindness, love, attention, patience and support will be forever remembered. 

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at Saint Andrew Catholic Church in Elk River, MN at 12:30 PM with visitation one hour prior. Luncheon to follow.