Donna Dale Madsen

Donavee Dale Madsen, the daughter of David and Hilda Jansen Dalgety, was born February 13,1927, in Manning, Iowa and died March 2, 2012, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 85 years and 18 days. From the age of five, Donna was raised by her adoptive parents John and Lena Joens. Donna was baptized and confirmed at the Zion Lutheran Church in Manning. She attended Manning Community Schools graduating with the High School Class of 1945. While in high school she would spend time during the summer with her mother Hilda in Colorado and would work at the ammunition plant where she would assemble bombs used by the troops during World War II. She took Normal Training and then taught rural school for a short time. On June 17, 1946, she was united in marriage to Edward Leonard Madsen at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Audubon, Iowa. Five children Paul, Francis, Alice, Mary, and Karen were born to this union. Donna was a home maker for several years while the boys were young and when they reached school age she returned to teaching. She taught in Hamlin from 1956 through 1958. Donna returned to being a home maker with the births of her daughters. Donna helped Ed on the farm and when the girls started school she was employed at Jensen Clothing in Audubon for a short time. In the fall of 1980 she became an assistant at St. John’s Lutheran Church Pre-School. Donna taught at St. John’s until she retired in 1997. During retirement, Donna and Ed enjoyed traveling to see relatives, shopping, and playing cards with their card clubs. They were members of the Town and Country Woodcarvers. Donna enjoyed taking the many different classes at the yearly seminars and also enjoyed helping provide the concessions for the group. Ed died July 24, 2006. Donna has continued to live and enjoy their country home. Donna was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Audubon and a member of the ladies group. She was also a member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary. Donna was an avid Chicago Cubs fan, enjoyed quilting and playing bingo. She enjoyed all types of sports but especially any activity the grandchildren were involved in. Donna was preceded in death by her husband Edward L. Madsen; her parents; her adoptive parents; her sisters Lila and husband Paul Johnson, Alice and husband Bob Savage, and Phylis and husband Ray Ehlers; her brothers-in-law Leo Madsen, Joe and wife Ruby Madsen, and Jack Stanley. Survivors include her children: Paul and wife Linda Madsen of St. Charles, Iowa, Francis Madsen of Underwood, Iowa, Alice and husband Jon Lauridsen of Audubon, Iowa, Mary and husband Michael McColloch of Redfield, Iowa, and Karen and husband Steve Goldman of Springfield, Missouri; her grandchildren: Erik Madsen of Redfield, Matt and wife Jenni Madsen of Ankeny, Iowa, Mike Crook of West Des Moines, Iowa, Brandi Madsen and Josh Madsen and friend Katie Byers all of Underwood, Kyle Lauridsen and Kory Lauridsen both of Audubon, Meagan McColloch of Denver, Colorado, Emily McColloch of Boone, Iowa, Christopher McColloch of Redfield, Kari Madsen, Nick Gideon, and Jacob Gideon all of Springfield; her great grandchildren: Gabriel Hansen of Earlham, Iowa, Jacob Madsen, Lauren Madsen, and Cole Madsen all of Ankeny; her half-sisters: Diane and husband Daryl Genzen, Beverly and husband Merlyn Irlbeck, and Kay and husband Duane Otto all of Manning, Iowa; her sister-in-law: Anna Margaret Stanley of Atlantic, Iowa; her brother-in-law Will and wife Gert Madsen of Audubon; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in Audubon.

Visitation:
The family will meet with friends Tuesday evening at 6:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa.

Service:
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Bradley Ketcham on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at 10:30 A.M. at the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Audubon.