Obituaries & Guestbook

Rose McMahon, 92, Gillett, formerly of Kelly Lake, died peacefully New Year’s Eve morning, December 31, 2021 at Serenity Gardens, her home for the past six years.  She was born August 30, 1929 to Edward and Mayme (Paitl) Brumlic where she grew up on the family farm in the Town of Brazeau.  Rose graduated from Oconto Falls High School with the class of 1947.

On December 30, 1950 she married Arnold “Arnie” McMahon at Hickory Church of Christ.  The couple owned and operated the McMahon family farm in the Town of Maple Valley for most of their married lives before moving to Kelly Lake in 1982.  Along with her husband, Rose had a distinguished 4-H leadership role on local and state levels of youth leadership and she was inducted into the WI 4-H Hall of Fame in 2013 following over 67 years of dedicated service.  She was involved in the Interstate Exchange Program, which had her and Arnie traveling and hosting throughout the US.  She was also active with the Oconto County Fair and led the gardening project, serving as fair gardening superintendent for 40 years. She started the “Fairest of the Fair” pageant where contestants in Oconto County represent their fairs and vie for the coveted State Title.  Rose worked for the Oconto County Commission on Aging for more than 8 years as the Suring Meal Site Manager.  She was also a longtime dedicated member of the Hickory Church of Christ Church and served in numerous capacities.  She served as the Trustee, Secretary and Treasurer on the Hickory Cemetery Association board for 56 years. In between her many years of dedicated service in all of these areas, she and Arnie enjoyed traveling throughout the US and in 1995, purchased a home in Fountain Hills, AZ where they spent their winters and remained active in the Church of Christ.  Rose will lovingly be remembered as an amazing cook and baker.  She loved to entertain friends and family over a meal that was sure to include her famous homemade buns and delicious pies.  She was a strong, hardworking mother, grandmother, cousin, friend and neighbor who will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Survivors are her son, Dennis (Fiancé Pamela) McMahon, three grandchildren, Montgomery J. McMahon, Mitchell J. McMahon and Megan M. (Levi) Steeno, her cousins Joe Rimple, Jeannie (Jim) Broderick, and Mary Ann (Ray) Mattrisch.

She was preceded in death by her parents and loving husband Arnie in 2007.

Visitation will be held after 11:00 am Tuesday, January 11, 2022 at Hickory Church of Christ, 8892 Cty. Rd. G, Suring until the time of service.  Funeral services will take place at 1:00 pm Tuesday at the church with her friend Pastor Bill Krauss officiating.  Burial will follow in Hickory Cemetery, Town of Maple Valley.