Yvonne "Sissie" Mahoney

Yvonne “Sissie” Mahoney died September 18, 2024, at St. Therese of Woodbury, Minnesota at the age of 87.

 Yvonne was born on April 24, 1937, to Howard and Virginia Steffes in Dickinson, ND. She graduated from Dickinson High School with honors in 1955. She then continued her education at Dickinson, where she met and married Thomas McGauley. Following the birth of four of her five sons, she attended and graduated from Mayville State Teachers College with her degree in Mathematics/Education. Next, she completed her Master’s in education at the University of North Dakota. Yvonne began her teaching career at Crary High School in 1972, where she taught mathematics and physics. Yvonne was widely regarded for her exceptional intelligence, enthusiasm and ability to meet students’ needs at their level. She was loved by her many students, who were like family. 

In 1985 Yvonne was joined in marriage with her fellow master bridge player, Dr. James H. Mahoney. She acquired another family of spirited individuals who she loved and cared for deeply. Jim and Yvonne spent their retirement years in Mexico and Devils Lake where they enjoyed time playing bridge, tennis, gardening, tutoring, family, friends, and local activities. Sadly, after Jim passed in 2002, with her usual and indomitable spirit, she moved on and reconnected with a High School classmate, Al Kuntz, and spent the next 10 years in California with yet again another family.

Yvonne returned from California to the Twin Cities where she resided until her death.

Yvonne will be remembered for her great capacity to open her heart to whatever came along. She was a “Tomboy”, lover of children, athlete, generous in all things. Yvonne chose to meet each day with energy, optimism, joy and a desire to grow and learn.

Yvonne is survived by her three sons; Brian of Atlanta, GA, Kevin of Saint Paul, MN, Dave of Minneapolis, MN; stepchildren , Patter (Henry) Tamminen of Gilbert, MN, Mary (Jeff) Horrocks of Hutchinson, MN, Timothy (Kathy) Mahoney of Fargo ND, John Mahoney of Bismarck, ND, Tracy (Mike) Mahoney of Twist, Washington; grandson, Brendan Laskey of Florida: and many step grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is also survived by siblings; Virginia Becker of Chicago Il, Marie Quam of Edina, MN, Daniel Steffes of Bismarck ND, Lois Steffes of Bismarck ND, Thomas Steffes (Cindy) of Dickinson ND.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Shawn and Matthew; brother David, sister-in-law, Lila Steffes (Dan) and nephew Michael Steffes.

There will be a gathering of family and friends at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake on Friday, September 27, 2024 beginning at 1:00 p.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery with a time of fellowship to follow at the Parish Center.