Marie J. Mahan

Marie J. Mahan, age 91 of Ferryville, died Sunday, July 27, 2008. Marie Jane (McAreavy) Mahan died peacefully in her home just south of Rising Sun, WI on Sunday, July 27th 2008. Marie was born on December 29, 1916 in Ryan, Iowa the first of five children born to Thomas & Margaret (Kennedy) McAreavy. Due to the untimely death of her mother the family was separated and Marie, her sister Marguerite and her father relocated to the Prairie du Chien area. Her brothers remained in Iowa to be raised by Maries aunt Ann Kennedy. On December 31, 1935, at the age of 19 she married William J. Mahan at St. James Catholic Church and together farmed and raised a family of 17 children. Surviving Marie are her 17 children: William (Mary) Mahan Jr., Norma (Ross) Yarbrough, Pat Mahan, Peggy Mahan, Mike (Shirley) Mahan, Larry (Ingrid) Mahan, Rosie (Russ) Posey, Gary Mahan, Carol (Roger) Eick, Bob Mahan, Raymond (Debby) Mahan, Joe (Sharon) Mahan, Cathy (Lonnie) Messling, Monica (John) Annen, Linda (Rusty) Long, Debbie (Brad) Smrcina, and Mary (Jay) Synsteby. Also surviving Marie are 48 grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren, and numerous great & great-great grandchildren & step-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband William, one infant daughter (Kathleen), one grandson (Keith Posey), her parents, brothers William, Donald & Joseph and sister Marguerite. Marie will always be remembered for her warm and gracious smile, her wonderful sense of humor, her firm handshake, her willingness to work and her devotion to her family & Catholic faith. She will be missed. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 12 noon at St. James Catholic Church at Rising Sun. Father Eugene Klink will celebrate the Mass with burial in the church cemetery. Friends may call on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at the Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home, 123 W. Decker (Hwy 56) in Viroqua. The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of Viroqua is serving the family.