Mrs. Elsie McMahon, 76, died Friday morning at her home. Memorial services at 2 p.m. today at the Mason-Hawe Funeral Chapel. Survivors are her husband, Francis J. McMahon; a daughter, Mary, Mrs. William, Klotzbach of Independence; a sister, Mrs. Anna Larson of Irwin; a brother, Alfred H. Paulsen of Irwin. The family requests no visitation. A memorial has been established for the Independence Library Fund.
The Courier Waterloo, Iowa December 29, 1974

The Life Story of MRS F.J. McMAHON, 76
Elsie McMahon, daughter of R.K. and Mary (Gorichs) Paulsen, was born July 25, 1898, at Irwin. She graduated from the Irwin High School and Jennie Edmundson School of Nursing in Council Bluffs.

On August 30, 1923, she married Francis J. McMahon in Nevada, lowa. She was a member of the Irwin Chapter of the Eastern Star No. 182 and received a 50-year pin. She was also a member of the American Nurses Association.

Mrs. McMahon received a Governor's Citation for hospitality. She received the award from former Governor Beardsley for hospitality accorded to Governor Kim Siegler of Michigan and his daughter. The wings of the Siegler private plane iced up in sub-zero weather and was forced down at Manning. Following their rescue, the Sieglers were taken to the McMahon home for food and shelter.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one son, John in 1941, one sister, Alice, and five brothers: Ted, John, Bill, Otto, and Karl.

Survivors include her husband, one daughter, Mrs. William (Mary) Klotzbach of Independence, four grandchildren, one brother, Alfred H. Paulsen, and one sister, Mrs. Anna Larson, both of Irwin.

Funeral services were held Sunday, December 29, 1974, at Mason-Hawe Funeral Chapel in Independence with Rev George W. Bishop, officiating. Burial was in the Manning Cemetery.