Aurora, WI—Ann McMahon (neé Backlund), 83, passed away in her home on September 19, 2026, surrounded by family.

She was born to John Albert “Spike” and Margaret Kathleen (neé Cavalieri) Backlund on March 27, 1943, at her home on Blaine Street in Iron Mountain and graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1961.

After high school, she worked at the courthouse for the Dickinson County Clerk and took the minutes of the county board meetings as a stenographer. In 1962, she married the love of her life, Dan McMahon, whom she met on a blind date.

Ann will be remembered for her faith, kindness, generosity, and love of children. She enjoyed casinos, coffee at Hardee’s with her friends, rummage sales, and holiday get-togethers. Family and friends will miss her beautifully decorated cakes and homemade Italian dishes, including pastas, pizzelle cookies and ciamballone (pronounced chumbaloni) cake.

She enjoyed camping with family, letting the sound of the rain hitting the roof of her trailer lull her to sleep. She loved music and her favorite song was Moon River. She was the world’s best grandma and her grandchildren were the greatest joy in her life. She especially enjoyed spending time with them at her son’s camp in Channing.

Ann is survived by her husband of 63 years, Dan, her son Dan (Christine) McMahon of Aurora, WI and her grandchildren Nodin and Abigail “Daisy” McMahon and special nieces and nephews: Mike and his wife Monica Gatzow, Tina (John) Elmer, Suellen Lindholm and Jim (Cory) Moreau. She is also survived by cousins, other nieces and nephews and in-laws, including Dave (Mary) McMahon, Judy (the late Tracey) Wales, and Doug Allen.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings Delores (Artie) Gatzow (her lifelong best friend), Joyce Allen and Ron Backlund as well as her niece, Kim Whiting and in-laws Doreen and John Givogre, Marilyn and Jim Moreau, Kathy and Roger Lindholm, and Tracy Wales.

The family would like to thank Father Joe Dorner at Sacred Heart of Jesus parish, who helped Ann realize her lifelong dream of becoming a Catholic.

Ann will be cremated and buried in Cemetery Park, Iron Mountain. As per her wishes, there will be no funeral services.