Mary Lou McMahon, 90, of Bernard, Iowa, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at Accura Health in Cascade, Iowa.

Visitation for Mary Lou will be held from Noon to 2:00 p.m., Monday, October 28, 2024 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Garryowen, Iowa, where services will be held at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Mark Osterhaus presiding.  Burial will be held in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Garryowen, Iowa.

Mary Lou was born on June 3, 1934, in Bernard, Iowa, daughter of Thomas “T.J.” and Lucille (McDonald) Carr.  She received her education in the rural country and St. Patrick’s High School in Garryowen, Iowa.  On October 9, 1954 she was united in marriage to Daniel J. “D.J.” McMahon at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Garryowen, Iowa. Together they farmed in South Garryowen where they raised their nine children.  DJ preceded her in death on June 28, 2003.

She was a member of St. Patrick’s Parish in Garryowen, Iowa.  Mary Lou also was a member of the Dubuque County Saddle Club, Back Country Horsemen’s, and Cascade Tops.  She worked many years at New Melleray Abbey.

Mary Lou supported her children and grandchildren in all their activities.  Her greatest passion was horses, she had horses and mules throughout her entire life.  In their retirement DJ and Mary Lou traveled around the country with their horses and mules, they developed many friendships which continue to this day.

Those left to cherish her memory are her six children, Roseanne (Steve) Rath of Dubuque, Susan (Eric) Manternach of Cascade, Joe (Teresa) McMahon of Battle Ground, WA, Bill (Mary Lou) McMahon of Bankston, Larry (Colleen) McMahon of Cedar Rapids, Lorrie (Mark) Meier of Cascade; two daughters-in-law, Maureen (Nick) Gaeta of Hiawatha and Colette McMahon of Fulton, IL; 18 grandchildren, Nick (Nikki) Manternach, Sarah (Matt) Sodoma, Jacob (Stephanie) Manternach, Tara (Travis) Goedken, Aaron McMahon, Charissa (Josh) Wegmann, Kayla (Tim) Furnanz, Andy (Katie) McMahon, Jack McMahon, Damon McMahon, Mike (Jen) McMahon, Alisha (Kody) Dempster, Emily (Brendan) Ahern, Ryan McMahon, Ashley McMahon, Nicole (Brandon) Wagner, Rachel (Seth) Casel, Travis (Jess) Meier, and Abbey (Tatum) Meier; 24 great grandchildren; 3 step great grandchildren; one sister, Carol (Bob) Hutchins of Bernard; one sister-in-law, Sandy Carr of Dubuque.

She is also preceded in death by her parents; three sons, Dave McMahon in August 2004, Jim McMahon in November 2022, and Dan McMahon in July 2023; and one brother, Tom Carr; one brother-in-law Robert McMahon; and two sisters-in-law Arlene Fuller, and Sister Monica McMahon.

A Tribute Video may be viewed, and online condolences given to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com