William "Bill" Madsen
September 16, 2007

Interment: Burt Township Cemetery ~ Burt, Iowa

William "Bill" Carl Madsen was born November 10, 1928, at Whittemore, Iowa, to William and Mathilda (Ostwald) Madsen. While in high school, Bill moved with his parents to Burt. He graduated from Burt High School in 1946. On September 9, 1948, Bill was married to Janet Sage at St. John's Lutheran Church in Burt. The couple lived in Burt where Bill was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church, serving on the church council, and taught Sunday school. He also served on the Volunteer Fire Department and the school board. Bill did over the road trucking, worked at Pioneer in Algona and also helped build the Kossuth County Court House. Bill later worked at the Burt Elevator until he became manager of the George Elevator in 1962 where he worked for 9 years. He was an active member of the George community also. The couple moved to Titonka where he managed the Titonka elevator for 20 years until his retirement. Bill decided to go to work at Winnebago Industries in Forest City, where he worked in the maintenance department for 10 years. He quit in 2001 due to ill health. Bill was an active member of Good Hope Lutheran Church, where he served on the church council, teaching Sunday school and later taught Adult Bible Study. Bill was a member of the Gideon's, "Chip off the Old Block" Club and a member of "WORMS" - - wobbly old retired managers.

Bill was a Master Gardner, and enjoyed raising gladiolus and vegetables to share with family and church friends. Bill loved fishing and taught the art of fishing to his children and grandchildren. He was a great carpenter and spent long hours in the shop making things for his wife, children, grandchildren, and his great grandchildren. Bill was a great inspiration to his family and a true blessing to them. Bill's love for life showed in everything he did.

Bill died on Sunday, September 16, 2007, at the Good Samaritan Society - Algona at the age of 78.

Survivors include his wife Janet of Titonka; son Robert Madsen and wife Zoe of Merritt Island, Florida; daughter Carolyn and husband Robert Brandt of Titonka; daughter Barbara and husband James Thilges of Ottosen; daughter Mary and husband Rodney Norland of Ionia; daughter Jeannette and husband Daryl Chapin of Titonka; daughter Shirlee Alt of Algona; son William Madsen and wife Pam of Maplewood, Minnesota; daughter Sharon and husband Brad Bengtson of Titonka; daughter Karla and husband John Schutter of Titonka and daughter Debi and husband Jeff Hovey of Titonka as well as 25 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Also surviving are brothers and sisters, Merlyn (Red) Madsen and wife Doris of Burt; Marcella Johnson of Eagle Grove; Evelyn and husband Thomas Larsen of Jonesboro, TN; Janice and husband Don Reimers of Burt, Donald Madsen and wife Pam of Burt and Rosanne and husband Boyd Shipler of Burt. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his mother-in-law, Edna Weber, brother-in-law, Darrell Johnson as well as one niece and one nephew.

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