Therese McAllister, age 86 of Emmetsburg, passed away on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at the West Ridge Care Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM on Saturday, October 17, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Emmetsburg. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until the time of Mass on Saturday, October 17, at the church. Burial will take place at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Emmetsburg. Martin Mattice Funeral Home of Emmetsburg is assisting the family.
Therese Frances McAllister, the daughter of Richard “Dick” F. and Teresa C. (Kliegl) Kelly, was born on April 7, 1940 in Emmetsburg, Iowa. She attended St. Mary’s Grade School and graduated from Emmetsburg Catholic High School in 1958. On October 21, 1961, Therese was united in marriage to Marvin R. McAllister at Assumption Church in Emmetsburg, Iowa. Therese owned and operated Town and Country Realty in Clarion, Iowa for over 30 years. She was the past President of Wright – Hamilton Board of Realtors. Therese enjoyed reading, genealogy, gardening, and being outdoors. She especially loved spending time with family and following her grandchildren to all their activities.
Left to cherish Therese’s memory are her children, Martha McAllister (Mike Gardner) of Elmhurst, Illinois, Lisa Tortora (Mike) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and David McAllister (Heather) of Ankeny, Iowa; grandchildren, Jack McAllister, Tom McAllister, Dan Tortora, Matthew (Liv) Schlipper, Katie McAllister, Laura McAllister, Sarah Tortora, and Rachel Tortora; great grandchild, Dean Schlipper; siblings, Larry (Robin) Kelly of Emmetsburg, IA, Jim (Liz) Kelly of Chaska, MN, Rich (Patty) Kelly of Emmetsburg, Catherine Chrysler of Parker, CO, and Rosemary (Ron) Sackett of Toftee, MN; sister-in-law, Karen Siddall of Urbandale, IA; and brother-in-law, Garold Hough of Algona, IA.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin; parents, Dick and Teresa; brother, John; nieces, Karen Chrysler and Susan Siddall; nephew, Dan Kelly; mother-in-law, Agnes McAllister; sister-in-law, Mary Hough; brother-in-law, Jim Siddall; grandparents; and many aunts and uncles.
