Madonna Jean Riesgaard

    Madonna Jean Riesgaard, the daughter of Earl and Dessie (Pyle) Vandevanter, was born November 17, 1929, at her parents’ home in rural Guthrie County, Iowa and died March 5, 2023, at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa at the age of 93 years, 3 months, and 18 days.

    Madonna was baptized at the First Christian Church in Guthrie Center, Iowa. She attended rural schools in Guthrie County.

On April 6, 1947, she was united in marriage to Harley Riesgaard at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They were blessed with four sons Gary, Craig, Ron, and Jerry. They lived on Harley’s family farm which they later purchased. Madonna helped Harley operate the farm where they grew row crops and raised cattle and hogs and milked cows. Madonna raised chickens and strawberries. They moved into Exira in 1979 but didn’t retire until 2008. Harley died in 2012. Madonna lived in their home until she moved into the Exira Care Center in 2022.

    Madonna was a member of the Exira Christian Church in Exira, Iowa and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Madonna enjoyed traveling¸ specially to see her son and daughter-in-law in Alaska. She also loved to fish and go to casinos.

    Preceding her in death was her husband Harley and her son Ron and wife Lorena Riesgaard, and her parents; her sisters Dorothy and husband Perry Compton; Mildred and husband Marvin Downing; Zada and husband Fred Keslerher brothers Earl and wife Marie Vandervanter; her in-laws Clark Millhollin, Milo and Gladys Riesgaard; Merne and wife Lois Riesgaard; Eldon and wife Agnes Riesgaard.

    Survivors include her children Gary and wife Becky Riesgaard of Brayton, Iowa; Craig and wife Susan Riesgaard and Jerry and wife Colleen Riesgaard all of Exira, Iowa; her grandchildren Chris and wife Gina Riesgaard of Kent, Washington; Ben and wife Traci Riesgaard of Brayton, Iowa; Andrea Riesgaard of Exira, Iowa; Kelley Riesgaard of Waukee, Iowa; Dustin and wife Shaylee Riesgaard of Exira, Iowa; Karla and husband Jim Casterton of Bettendorf, Iowa; Brenda Langpaul of West Des Moines, Iowa; Wil and wife Krystal Riesgaard of Wilmington, North Carolina; Jake and wife Allison Riesgaard of Spokane, Washington; her great grandchildren Bailey, Andi, Evan; Sydney, Colin, Sam, Cooper, Harleigh, Della; Kate and Joe Langpaul; Colton, Myles, Lucas, Mason, Amelia, and Magnus Riesgaard; Camille and Cody Riesgaard; her great-great grandson Jameson Gregory; sister Julia Ann Millhollin; brother-in-law Darold and wife Pat Riesgaard; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.