Tanya Lee Lourigan

MADISON - Tanya Lee (Meyer) Lourigan, 55, passed away peacefully on June 27, 2026, at UW Hospital with family by her side. For the last 4.5 years, she had been living gracefully with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer), a rare and aggressive cancer.

Tanya was born on February 16, 1971, in Madison, Wis. to Jane Meyer and Thomas Meyer.  She spent part of her childhood in Cross Plains. Her love of water started when she and friends snuck to Frank’s Market after swim team practice, bought snack cakes, and devoured them sitting by Black Earth Creek.

In 1988, she graduated from Middleton High School and went on to attend college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She enjoyed running cross-country and track. She received a bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering in 1993. While in school, Tanya had an internship with the U.S. Forest Service in Sitka, AK. After graduation, she moved back to continue working for the U.S. Forest Service for several years. The beauty and expansiveness of Alaska sealed Tanya’s love for spending time outdoors. Her first extended, remote camping trip was a 12-day rafting excursion in the Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Wilderness Park.

Tanya then moved across the country to New York State and from 1995 to 2003, she served as a full-time staff member for the SYDA Foundation where she found contentment in the teachings of the Siddha Yoga path.

Tanya then returned to UW-Madison and in 2006, received her master’s degree in urban and regional planning with a focus on water resources management. She went on to work for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for nearly 18 years in the Dam Safety and Floodplain Program as Regional Water Management Engineer, State Dam Safety Engineer, and Section Manager. Tanya was dedicated to protecting people from floods.

In 2006, Tanya met her JoJo and they married in 2011. They truly enjoyed each other’s company, with vacations camping and hiking in the state and national parks, and recent trips to Hawaii and a river cruise in Europe. They always delighted in making homemade pizza together and had many laughs (and frustrations) as they muddled through home improvement projects.

Tanya loved to decorate her house and work in her yard and flower gardens. Exploring new recipes and cooking up new delicious meals was another favorite passion. Each year, she enjoyed coming up with a new craft idea and working on it throughout the year to give to her friends at their annual craft gift exchange gathering. Upon arriving home from each gift exchange gathering in the evening, she would promptly show her new gifts to her husband. Tanya made the most of each day and lived life learning about new things and exploring the world around her. She loved to travel to far-off places, such as Ireland, India, Australia and New Zealand. She also enjoyed exploring new places in her own community, such as bike and walking paths, parks, restaurants and shops.  

Tanya was a loving and devoted wife, daughter and niece. She loved her whole family and closest friends - always looking out for those in her life. She was a dedicated and respected engineer and supervisor at the Wisconsin DNR. She placed protecting human life and property as the top priorities in her decisions.  

Tanya is survived by her husband, Joe; mother, Jane Meyer and beloved step-monster, Ross Heister; grandmother, Martha Heister; brother-in-law, Gerald R. Lourigan; sisters-in-law, Margaret Lourigan, Colleen (Jon) Lourigan, and Kathryn (Jack) Dutton; aunts and uncles, Suzanne (Jay) Sampson, Shirley Gard, David (Julia) Gard, Dorothy (Robert) DeGrace, Barbara Gard, Mary (Tom) Martin, Bernadette Gard, Kathy (Bob) Graushaar, Mary (Ed) Swab, John (Julie) Meyer and Penny (Tony) Sanchez; nieces and nephews, Celeste Lourigan (Jake McGinnis), Alison Lourigan, Cadie Lourigan, Eileen Dutton, John Dutton, Theodore Dutton and Mary Dutton; along with a wide circle of much loved cousins, extended family, friends, co-workers and neighbors.

She was preceded in death by her father, Thomas Meyer; father-in-law, Gerald W. Lourigan; mother-in-law, Mary Lourigan; paternal grandparents, Earl and Winnifred Meyer; maternal grandparents, Alphonse and Lorraine Gard; grandfather, Bill Heister; uncles, Raymond Gard, Gerald Gard, Jack Wilson and Michael Meyer; and aunts, Elaine Gard and Janice Wilson.

Tanya fought a courageous battle against cancer. She was always grateful for the expertise, dedication and care that she received from her team at the UW Health Carbone Cancer Center.  Tanya and her family send their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Uboha, Stacy, Liz, Jenna, Dr. Bassetti and so many other staff at UW Health Carbone Cancer Center. Their excellent care over the years allowed her extra time of traveling, working, farmers’ markets, gardening and many other simple joys of life. Her family also thank the doctors, nurses and nurses’ assistants at UW Hospital for the dedicated and tender care they gave Tanya during her last stays in the hospital.  Tanya was also grateful for the resources and support provided by Gilda’s Club and those who participated with her.

A celebration of life will be held AT FOUR WINDS FARM, 5735 Adams Road, Fitchburg, at 12 noon on Friday, July 31, 2026, followed by a luncheon. Visitation will be held at the farm from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to any of the following organizations: The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (https://www.cholangiocarcinoma.org/donate/), UW Health Carbone Cancer Center (https://give.wiscmedicine.org/give/393214/#!/donation/checkout), Gilda’s Club Wisconsin (https://gildasclubwi.org/ways-give/donate/)  or The PRASAD Project (https://www.prasad.org/donate/).

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Fitchburg

Funeral & Cremation Care
2950 Chapel Valley Road
(608) 442-5002