Rita Elizabeth McMahon

Rita E. McMahon passed away at the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home in Ft. Dodge on Saturday, June 15, 2013 surrounded by her family. A Mass of Christian burial will held on Saturday, June 22 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Webster City at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Webster City immediately following the funeral service. Visitation will be held Friday, June 21st at Foster Funeral Home in Webster City from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a rosary, scripture service, and celebration of life at 7:15 p.m. Rita Elizabeth McMahon, daughter of William and Mary (Byrne) Krebs, was born March 24, 1926 in Manson, IA. She graduated from Gilmore City, IA in 1943. Rita met James F. McMahon at a dance in 1947, and they were wed on November 19, 1949. Rita and Jim farmed in the Gilmore City area until they moved to Ft. Dodge in 1963. In 1968, the family moved to Rockwell City, IA, where Jim was Plant Manager for Monsanto. At that time, Rita worked as a bookkeeper for her husband at Monsanto. In November 1973, the family moved to Webster City, IA where Jim was employed by Van Diest Supply Company as a District Sales Manager and Rita began selling Avon. Rita made many g...[more]

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friends through her business and enjoyed selling Avon until she retired in May 2013. In addition to selling Avon, Rita volunteered at the Van Diest Medical Center and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic church and school, where she was a prayer partner and sugar cookie provider for many years. Rita loved to play bridge and spend time with her many friends. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family. Her family and grandchildren were a great joy to her. Rita wanted to thank and express her love for all her family, nieces, nephews, and good friends who helped her through the past weeks. Special thanks to Stephen Lawler for the meals and treats he brought for the family while Rita was at the hospice home. Rita and her family also want to thank the nurses and staff at the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home for their guidance and comfort. The family is especially grateful during this most difficult time for the loving care and support of Hospice nurse Erin Blankenburg. Rita is survived by her daughters Marcia (Greg) May of Webster City, Michelle (Doug) Richardson of Norwalk, and Carol (Doug) McMahon-Kain of Omaha, NE; sons Tim (Michele) McMahon of Cedar Falls and Tom (Laura) McMahon of Clive; grandchildren Allison and Andrew May, Katie and Molly Richardson, Ryan Kain, Morgan McMahon, and Sydney and Gabe McMahon; sister Marlys Walker of Ft. Dodge and numerous loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Jim, her parents William and Mary Krebs, brother Don Krebs, sister Mary Jo Fitzgerald, in-laws M.F. and Alice McMahon as well as many sisters- and brothers-in-law. Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Thomas Aquinas School, Multiple Sclerosis Society Midwest Chapter--Walk MS Team Irish Blessings, or Paula J. Baber Hospice Home, Fort Dodge.