Michael "Mike"

J. Mahony

Michael "Mike" John Mahony, 78, of O'Neill, died Monday, May 19, 2025 at his home in O'Neill.

Visitation was held Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill with a parish rosary.

Funeral services were held Thursday, May 22, 2025 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O'Neill. Fr. Bernard Starman officiated.

Burial was in the O'Neill Cemetery in O'Neill.

Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Schools in O'Neill in Mike's name.

Michael was born Nov. 19, 1946 in Cedar Rapids. He was the 10th of 14 children born to Charles and Katherine (Babbitt) Mahony. He attended country school east of O'Neill before attending St. Mary's Catholic High School. He graduated in 1965. When he was young, Mike enjoyed rodeoing and competed in steer wrestling and bull riding.

After high school, Mike embarked on a life filled with many adventures and detours that took him all around the country. He settled back in O'Neill and started working for O'Neill Farms in the early 1980's. In 1994, Mike bought into the Ericson/Spalding Sale Barn with his brothers. He retired from O'Neill Farms and sold his stake in the sale barn in the early 2000's to focus on his own ranching endeavors that eventually included his son Curt. Mike met Kim Reiter in 2000 and they became friends and partners for the rest of his life.

Mike was a member of Alcoholics Anonymous and had just celebrated 41 years of sobriety. Through his sobriety, he was able to help and eventually befriend many people at AA and Valley Hope. 

Mike was also a member of the St. Patrick's Catholic Church.

Mike always enjoyed driving through pastures and checking on his cattle with his sidekicks Peyton, Kade and Reed. He enjoyed football, playing cards and an occasional wager or two.

Mike is survived by his wife Kim Mahony of O'Neill; four children Cyndy Pfeiffer of Herman, Aimy (Bob Adair) Mahony of Wagner, SD, Marny Plog of Omaha and Curt Mahony of O'Neill; four stepchildren Travis Reiter of Kearney, Heather Landauer of Albion, Tosha (Shawn) Murdock and Tyler (Makayla) Reiter, all of Ericson; 10 grandchildren; 10 step-grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren plus two on the way; seven siblings Bette Boyle of O'Neill, Charlene Boyle of Lincoln, Charles (Diane) Mahony of Spalding, Aggie (Paul) Halverson of Utah, Rosemary Cooley of Missouri, Kevin (Patty) Mahony of Inman, Theresa (Gary) Parker of Kansas; his mother-in-law Sandra Madsen of Neligh; his father-in-law Jerry Horwart of Ericson; and many nieces, nephews, friends and his special AA Family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter Jill Mikkelson; and six siblings Maureen Rohde, Mary Jo Gallager, Karen Ramold, Pauline Carr, Patrick Mahony and Sister Colleen Mahony.