Elise Martha Irmtraud McMahan

Elise McMahan, who lived a long full life as a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend passed away peacefully at her home on July 12, 2025 after a long struggle with dementia. Born 99 years ago in Kassel, Germany on October 30, 1925, Elise Nuhn immigrated to America in 1947 and built a life that was characterized by strength, determination, love, and faith. Her presence will be deeply missed by those fortunate enough to know her but her legacy continues to live in us all.

 Elise dedicated much of her life to caring and providing for her family. She is survived by her two children, Viktoria (Harry) Hosey and Mark McMahan (Rebecca Bowman). She took immense pride in her grandchildren, Kieran (Kelli) Hosey, Colleen Lewis, Lisa (Mike) Clark, and Kylie Jeanne McMahan. She also experienced the birth of each of her four great grandchildren Makella Lewis, Maddock Lewis, Mackay Hosey and Mara Hosey with happiness as the legacy of her American family grew. 

Elise was a war bride that came to America at the end of WWII in 1947 and married an American Army soldier that she met during the USA occupation of German in 1946, James Russel McMahan (proceeded her in death,1999). The stories she told of her life in Germany as a child and then a teenager surviving a major war were rich in detail including wonderful memories of her mother, father, and brother, meeting her future husband, as well as the many tragedies she experienced living in a country that was at war.

 While she left her German family behind, her hopes and dreams of becoming an American citizen, starting a family, and building a new life is what sustained her over the challenging early years of assimilating into the American culture as a German immigrant. She and her husband Jim worked hard and tirelessly to become a strong family, sending their children to college and contributing to the well being of their community. An important part of that community was being a member of Ascension Lutheran Church in Madison, TN. Her faith in God and her connection to Ascension gave her daily strength, a family of friends, and a moral compass on how she wanted to live her life.

 As a seamstress and a crafter, she made clothes and many gifts for her family and friends. Elise stitched over 40 quilts that were sent oversees to impoverished communities through the Lutheran World Relief program. Today hanging in the fellowship hall at Ascension is a partial collection of the dozens of “faith” banners she made over many years. She loved making things with her hands and always had a project in progress.

 Those of us who knew Elise witnessed her strong work ethic. She ran two companies and upon retiring, worked another 10 years part time, until the age of 90! Elise continued to volunteer in some capacity until 6 months before her death. She adapted to experiencing profound hearing and vision loss in her 80’s, with amazing grace and fortitude.

 On August 2, 2025, a visitation (9:30 a.m.) in honor of Elise Nuhn McMahan will take place in the fellowship hall followed by a memorial service (11:00 a.m.) at Ascension Lutheran Church, 610 W. Old Hickory Blvd, Madison, TN 37115. In a private family ceremony, her ashes will be interned to rest with her husband at the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 7931 McCrory Ln, Nashville, TN 37221. 

In memory of Elise, please consider donating to: 

Ascension Lutheran Church

 610 W. Old Hickory Blvd Madison, TN 37115

 https://www.ascensionmadison.com