Howard J. Madsen

Obituary

Howard Jerome Madsen was born on July 28, 1930, in Elk Horn, Shelby County, Iowa. He was the son of Walter and Lillie (Jessen) Madsen. Howard was baptized as an infant. He received his education in Elk Horn, and was a graduate of the Exira High School Class of 1948. He furthered his education at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, earning his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business in 1956.

Howard entered active military service in the United States Navy on March 5, 1951, in Des Moines, Iowa, and served his country during the Korean War. He received an Honorable Discharge on January 17, 1955, at US Navrescsta, San Francisco, California, and achieved the rate of Yeomen Third Class.

In May 1958, Howard was united in marriage to Virginia “Ginny” Snyder at Bethlehem Lutheran in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with two children, Mike and Andrea. Howard and Ginny resided in Hutchinson, Minnesota. They shared 59 years of marriage together prior to the passing of Ginny on October 2, 2017. Howard loved being a father, husband, and taking care of his family.

Howard was employed at Aetna for a couple of years after college. He then bought his own agency in Hutchinson, Madsen Agency Insurance Planners. Howard was very hard working and dedicated to his clients until his retirement He had many interests and was involved in many organizations, such as Shriners, NRA, Gopher Campfire, Pheasants Forever, and Ducks Unlimited, to name just a few.

Howard liked to read the daily newspaper while sipping on decaf coffee. He really liked a “good chocolate malt”, claiming the best ones were made by Ginny. Howard enjoyed living on Lake Stella, fishing, and hunting. He also enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren, and teaching them all the techniques to proper fishing: how to dig worms, bait the hook, and also fish fileting. Howard loved taking care of and training his dogs, and traveling with Ginny, especially to their home in Florida to escape the Minnesota winters. Howard and Ginny took several fishing trips, catching Sailfish, Dolphinfish (Mahi Mahi), Blue Fin, and others, many of which he trophied. He also took pride in his outdoor sporting events and enjoyed golfing with his “His Little Girl”, Andrea. Howard did Trap Shooting for several years and received many awards, pins, and other acknowledgements for his shooting.

Howard passed away on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at The Lutheran Home: Belle Plaine in Belle Plaine, Minnesota, at the age of 93 years.

Blessed be his memory.

Howard is survived by his:
Children, Andrea Madsen of Elk River, MN, and
Michael Madsen of Hutchinson, MN;
Grandson, Eric Usher;
Great-Grandson, Riley Berndt;
Many other relatives and friends.

Howard is preceded in death by his Parents, Walter and Lillie Madsen; Wife, Ginny Madsen; Grandson, Scott Usher; Sister, Delores Andersen.