Therese M. "Terry" McMahon, age 93, of New Prague, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at her home. Terry was born on May 19, 1927 in Elkton, SD to William J. and Edith C. (Ferrie) Thielen. She attended Elkton Country School, graduated from Elkton High School, and attended Minneapolis Teletype School. She met the man of her dreams, Harold K. "Mac" McMahon, when she and he returned to Elkton after being gone for a short time. Their love affair would result in a marriage of 70 years, beginning with their wedding on June 27, 1950 in Elkton. They started their family of six in Minneapolis and moved often due to employment and military service, including the localities of Sioux City, NY, and Mankato before finally settling in New Prague in 1961, when they bought Jerry Smith Rexall Drug. Together they created McMahon Rexall Drug (eventually McMahon Snyder Drug) and Terry went on to create and supervise the gift shop that became the center of New Prague commerce downtown. Terry was a woman of many interests but first and foremost a mother and homemaker. Family was always central in whatever she did and the family continued to gather for Christmas before they left for Florida every fall, at which Terry would put on lavish dinners, entertaining them with her typical hospitality and amazing culinary skills. Her beautiful flower gardens were enjoyed by many and she and Mac could be found doing yard work well into their 90's. Terry was an avid golfer also well into her 90's, belonging to couples' golf leagues. As a lover of all card games throughout her life, she belonged to several Bridge clubs. Her talents also included the artistic pursuit of oil painting and calligraphy. Terry's ready smile and affable personality led to a woman always ready for a visit and an invitation to stop in for a cup of coffee; she will be missed by her loving family and many friends, including those they met in the 28 years spent in Florida winters.
Terry is survived by her loving husband, Mac; children, Peg McMahon (Eric Moses) of Big Fork, Jim (Linda) McMahon of Prior Lake, Bob (Peggy) McMahon of Ladysmith, WI, Dave (Diane) McMahon of Wausau, WI, Betty (Tom) Murphy of Underwood; 16 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Donna Thielen of Elkton, SD. She is preceded in death by her parents; son, Dick; sisters, Bernadette Stuefen & Rose Herald; brothers, Raymond, Leonard, Gerald, & Marvin Thielen.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 12:30 PM at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church with Father Eugene Theisen officiating. The public will be allowed to enter church beginning at 12:10 PM; the casket will be opened briefly at 12:25 when all are seated. Masks and social distancing are required in church. Mass will be live-streamed on npcatholic.org. Burial will occur at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at 11:00 AM.
