Joan Madsen
January 17, 1944 - December 4, 2009

Joanie lived her life caring out for the people she loved. She had an intuition to provide things for people, without being asked. Her family was the most important thing in her life. She selflessly cared for her husband, Dick, during his four year battle with ALS. Her children have always been the center of her life; she created family values and traditions, and was always there for each of them. When her grandchildren were born, she was the proudest grandmother. She loved rocking her babies, and made sure they each knew they were loved. She always asked them "Whose girl/boy are you?" and the answer was always "Grandma's girl/boy." As the grandchildren got bigger, she loved taking them for treats at McDonald's, and she helped teach them life lessons like planting and digging potatoes, driving the Kawasaki, baking and gardening. She will be missed dearly by her beloved children and grandchildren.

Joanie loved anything that allowed her to be outside. She loved farming and working in the garden. She always planted abundant flower and vegetable gardens, making sure to preserve as much as possible. Her specialty was dill pickles. After her children were grown, she started selling her produce at area farmers markets. She spent hours picking, cleaning and packaging her produce, then woke up early to get a good parking spot at the market. She liked it when her grandkids came along and were able to count back money and run the cash till. On rainy days, she spent her time in the kitchen baking treats. There were always fresh kuchen, kringles, or cakes. Once her grandchildren were old enough to make requests, she always had cinnamon rolls and chocolate chip cookies in the freezer. Joanie was a big Minnesota Twins Fan. She made sure her work was done at game time, so that she could tune into the Twins games. She loved it when Joe Nathan was the "closer".

Joan Kay Madsen was born on January 17, 1944 to Elmer and Irene (Liepold) Stenzel. She was raised in Weimer Township, north of Heron Lake. Joanie was baptized and confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Heron Lake. She attended Sacred Heart Catholic School through the eighth grade, and then graduated from Heron Lake High School, in May of 1962. After graduation, she worked at the Heron Lake drug store.

Joanie married Duane (Dick) Madsen at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, on April 4, 1964. Joanie was a homemaker and an active farm wife. Together, she and Dick lived and farmed in LaCrosse Township. She drove the combine, tilled the fields and hauled grain; she always looked forward to harvest. Joanie and Dick raised four children, Carole, born in 1965, Michael, in 1970, Rachel in 1977, and Janelle in 1982. Carole is an elementary school teacher in Estherville, IA, Michael farms in Heron Lake, MN, Rachel works in the education department of Habilitative Services in Lakefield, MN, and Janelle is an administrative assistant at Iowa State University Extension in LeMars, IA. .

Joanie was active in the community. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, serving as a religious education teacher and a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. In her earlier years, she sang in the church choir and played Taps on her trumpet at military funerals. Joanie also volunteered as a 4-H leader, and she worked as a "casual" for the US Postal Service, processing mail.

Joanie passed away at 11:15 p.m., on December 4, 2009, at the age of 65 years, 10 months and 17 days. She battled a Glioblastoma (primary brain tumor) for just three short months. After the diagnosis and removal of the brain tumor in Sioux Falls, SD, Joanie took chemotherapy and radiation treatment in Worthington. Her treatments were stopped short of completion, and hospice care began. She was cared for by her children and personal care assistants throughout her illness. She died in her home with her children at her bedside.

Joanie is survived by her four children and their spouses, Carole and William Reinhardt of Estherville, of Estherville, IA, Michael and Diana Madsen of Heron Lake, MN, Rachel and Troy Haar of Lakefield, MN, and Janelle and Ben Johnson of LeMars, IA, six beloved grandchildren, Adelee and Audree Reinhardt, Sarah, Andrew and Matthew Madsen, and Kendra Haar, and one sister, Joyce Pelzel of Heron Lake, and many in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Duane Madsen and her parents, Elmer and Irene Stenzel. Joanie will always be remembered as a loving wife and mother, proud grandmother, and a caring friend.

Blessed be the memory of Joan Kay Madsen.

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