Viola Mcmahon

A visitation was held for Viola McMahon on Wednesday July 18, 2012, followed by a Vigil service at Hastings Funeral Home in Perry, Iowa. A Mass of Christian burial took place on Thursday July 19, 2012 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Perry. Father Ray Higgins of All Saints Catholic Church in Stuart, Iowa officiated. Viola's granddaughter, Barbara Chirino was the lector. Carole O'Hare, Dorothy Tiernan, and Bob Rounds were the Eucharistic Ministers. Viola's Honorary Casket Bearers were: Tim Waddle, Glenn Theulen, Blanche Miner, Rita Smithson, Leon and Donna McDowell. Chuck Schott provided the music. The Ushers were Jim Galligan and Bill O'Hare. Interment was at St. Mary's Cemetery in Storm Lake, Iowa with Father Bill Brunner. A time of lunch and fellowship was held at St. Patrick School Gym and was provided by the Regina Guild. Viola McMahon daughter of Ross B. Shannon and Esther Patterson, was born June 12, 1917 in Alta Iowa and died July 14, 2012 at the Lutheran Home in Perry, Iowa. She was 95. Viola grew up in Storm Lake, Iowa. Her mother Esther passed away when she was only 19 months old and her brother was 6 months old. Her grandmother became her guardian; Aunts and Uncles also helped raise Viola and her brother. Viola's father later remarried and had four girls. She was the oldest of the six children. She graduated from Storm Lake High School in 1935, and then attended college at Buena Vista for one year. Viola married Walter Main in 1937 and they had three children: Cecilia, Theresa and Stephen. They moved to Perry in 1944. Viola's husband died in 1967. She married Tom McMahon in 1970. Viola enjoyed sewing, making most of her children's clothes, and making quilts. She liked gardening and canning her produce. Viola also enjoyed playing card games. Viola belonged to the Regina Guild and also volunteered many hours at her church; St. Patrick's Catholic Church; providing funeral lunches for over 12 years. She was a very independent woman. Viola was an inspiration and dearly loved by many. After moving to the Lutheran Home in 2004, she made many new friends including the residents and staff. Viola is preceded in death by two husbands: Walter Main (1967) and Tom McMahon (1988); daughter Cecilia Chirinos (2011); mother Esther; father Ross and his second wife; brothers: Kenneth (2 years old) and Ross Jr. (1982) and sisters Opal Peterson and Yvonne Meyers. She is survived by her daughter Theresa Cushman (Paul) of Omaha; son Steve Main of Chicago; two sisters, Doris Gustafson of Arnolds Park and Laverne Mommer of Des Moines; eight grandchildren: John, Barb, Randy, Angela, Shannon, Melissa, Walter and Anna; seven great-grandchildren: Jana, Ashley, Tess, Margaret, Will, Holly, and Hanna; nieces, nephews, and many other friends and relatives. www.hastingsfh.com