Mary Carolita Mahoney

Mary Carolita Mahoney, 87, of Fergus Falls, formerly of Pickerel Lake, Maine Township, died February 26, 2024, at PioneerCare.

Carolita was born February 18, 1937, to Arnold and Mary Catherine (McAllister) Kaiser in Perham. She loved to joke that if it hadn't rained so much the previous spring, she may not have been born, as it prevented Arnie from working in the fields. Carolita was the beloved baby of the family and she was doted on and adored by her three older brothers.

Carolita attended elementary school through Underwood Public School district and completed her high school education in 1954, graduating from St. Francis High School in Little Falls, where she had been a boarding student. Carolita furthered her education at St. Francis Nursing School in Breckenridge where she earned her Registered Nursing Degree in 1957. She created life-long friends during her nursing school days and still had gatherings with her classmates. Throughout her nursing career, Carolita held a variety of roles, from operating room nurse, scrub nurse, circulating nurse, and operating room supervisor. She began her career at Mercy Hospital in Baldwin, NY, worked at Doctor's Hospital in Freeport, NY, and completed her career after several decades at Lake Region Healthcare in Fergus Falls.

Through the luck of the Irish, Carolita began corresponding with her brother John's Army buddy, Joseph Mahoney. The two wrote extensively with one another, ultimately meeting and falling in love. On December 26, 1957 Carolita was united in marriage to Joseph Mahoney at St. James Catholic Church in Maine Township, rural Underwood. They were happily married for almost 46 years prior to Joe's death in April 2003. They were each other's best friend and support.

Joe and Carolita initially made their home in Freeport, Long Island, New York. Their daughter, Mary Dawn, joined their family in 1964 and their son, Michael Eric, made the family complete in 1969. Mary and Michael were adopted through Angel Guardian Home in Brooklyn, NY, and the entire family have been strong advocates for adoptive families. There were frequent summer trips back to Minnesota to see family, and eventually Carolita and Joe purchased the Maine Store in Maine and moved to Minnesota in 1971. After owning the store for three years, the couple built their home on Pickerel Lake. Prior to retirement, Joe and Carolita would spend many winters enjoying the beaches and warm weather, settling most frequently in Myrtle Beach, SC. After Joe's death, Carolita continued her winters in Myrtle Beach, where she had a vast array of friends and family would come to visit. She was an active member of St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Myrtle Beach, her parish home away from home.

Carolita was a very active member of St. James Catholic Church where she was a lector and a faith formation educator. She served as president for the Council of Catholic Women. She was a Delegate for the Republican Party and enjoyed attending the conventions and informing the party's platform. Carolita loved political discussions and held strong convictions that she followed through with her voting power.

Carolita loved to entertain and host dinner parties. She was a fantastic cook and was well known for her authentic Italian dishes (taught to her by her Irish father-in-law). Between Joe's singing and jokes and Carolita's hospitality, these gatherings were always special and unique. Their home was always a welcoming, interesting space for friends, families, and others.

Living on Pickerel Lake was a dream for Carolita, allowing her to swim as often as possible in the clear waters, and she enjoyed predicting when the ice would leave the lake and watching the seasonal changes. Carolita loved to cheer on the horses with the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes, often successfully picking the winners (she never did make a real bet but should have).

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Joseph in April 2003; brothers, Francis, Father John, and Joseph; sister-in-law, Barbara Kaiser; nieces, Annette Santarini and Susan Pinto; nephew, Michael Kaiser; and many dear friends and family.

Carolita is survived by her daughter, Mary (Michael) Weaver of Fergus Falls; son, Michael (Tanya) Mahoney of Frazee; grandchildren: Christopher Mahoney of Denver, CO; Abigail Newman (Rey Varela) of Fergus Falls; Jacob Weaver of Fergus Falls; Jacqueline Weaver (Collan Watson) of Fergus Falls; E4 Spec. Maximilian Weaver (Jeweliana Zubiate) of El Paso, TX; Niinimoshe Weaver of Fergus Falls; Illana (Jake) Schmid of Underwood; First Lieutenant Autumn Mahoney of Aurora, CO; Carly Mahoney of Iowa City, Iowa; Brenna Mahoney of LaCrosse, WI; and Malena Mahoney of Frazee; great-grandchildren Aivlee, Vince, and Sylvie Schmid and Sophia Watson and baby boy to be; nephews, Christopher Kaiser and Peter Kaiser; niece, Jennifer Kaiser-Milligan; cousins Bill Schulz, Paul Schulz, Michaela Dasteel, Mickey and Ernst Schaaf; Jim and Laure LaFond and family; and numerous other family and friends across the country.

Visitation: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 7, 2024, with prayer service at 6:30 p.m., at St. James Catholic Church, rural Underwood; visitation will resume on Friday one hour prior to the Mass at the church.

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 8, 2024, at St. James Catholic Church, rural Underwood, MN

Clergy: Father LeRoy Schik

Burial: St. James Catholic Cemetery, rural Underwood, MN

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com