"Madonna was such a great gal! I was blessed with the opportunity to work with her at Maquoketa Care!! We had such a great time!! She with out a doubt touched so many lives!! Deb, Mark and family you are in our prayers! Gay Storlie "
In loving memory of
Madonna Mae Varner
January 18, 1941 - June 21, 2020
Madonna M. Varner, 79, of Maquoketa, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, June 21, 2020 at her home.
A funeral mass celebrating her life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, June 26, 2020 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Maquoketa. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 P.M. on Thursday, June 25, 2020 at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa. Cremation will follow the visitation. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Maquoketa.
It is recommended to utilize masks during the visitation at the funeral home and at the funeral service and that you practice social distancing due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Madonna Mae Elsner was born in her grandparents, Charles and Lena Elsner's farmhouse on January 18, 1941 near Iron Hill, Iowa in Jackson County. Her parents were Clarence and Thelma (Steines) Elsner. Her early education was spent at Esgate, Fulton, and Elwood. She graduated from Lost Nation High School in 1959. From the beginning she learned hard work, helping her mom in the garden, canning, cutting corn off the cob, and washing fruit jars and lids. She also learned to bake and cook and twice a week would bake bread as well as clean the house. She started babysitting at 12 years old and while in high school had house cleaning jobs. This hard work would carry over into adulthood as she first worked for the Garment Factory in Clinton until it burnt down and then moved to Maquoketa where she worked for Schultz's Bros. in Maquoketa and lastly as a CNA and in the Housekeeping Department for over 43 years at Maquoketa Care Center until present.
Madonna married Donald Varner on May 3, 1960 in Davenport, Iowa. To this marriage were born: Deborah, Mark and Michael. They later divorced.
Madonna was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Maquoketa. She loved to dance and country music, especially George Strait. She was an avid fan of Elvis Presley. She enjoyed crocheting and spending time with her family, special friends, and her great-grandchildren, Jentry, Jensyn, Langston, Kaley and Charlotte.
Those left to honor her memory include her children, Deborah (Bill) Bowling of Maquoketa, IA, Mark (Jody) Varner of Maquoketa, IA, and Mike (Bridget) Varner of Maquoketa, IA; 5 granddaughters, Billie (Chad) Johnson, Sarah (Joe) Larkin, Jennifer Bowling, Aleshia (Matt) Abraham, Kacie Varner; 5 great-grandchildren, Jentry Johnson, Jensyn Johnson, Langston Larkin, Kaley Larkin and Charlotte Abraham; brothers, Leonard (Linda) Elsner of Calamus, IA, and Bill (Shirley) Elsner of Stetsonville, WI; sisters, Irma (Fred) Meyer of Maquoketa, IA, Mary (Roger) Eichelberger of Muscatine, IA, "Kay" Carolyn (Duane) Hansen of DeWitt, IA, and Jean Todtz of Goose Lake, IA; and sister-in-law, Mary Webster of Cedar Rapids, IA. She was preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Thelma Elsner, paternal grandparents Charles and Lena Elsner and maternal grandparents William and Lorena Steines, and a great-granddaughter Jenner Jo Johnson.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a Madonna Mae Varner memorial fund has been established.
Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.
Tributes
"Mary and to the extented family so sorry to hear of Madonna passing, was a wonderful person, we /are cousins and remember alot of times we spent together at the farm, the virus has kept us from coming but you all were in our prayers, Shirley Driscoll, Waneda Michel, "
"Reading all these tributes makes me wish I would have known Madonna. Wow. One could only hope for all these wonderful tributes to their life. For her family, you have to have some comfort from all these people. This says a lot of who she was. Give yourselves time to grieve as you have definitely lost a huge part of your life but know she is with you always. Rose "
"Reading this breaks my heart! I have thought many times over the years about Madonna. We worked together for several years at Maquoketa Care and became good friends. She was so much fun to work with and such a hard worker. Always talking about our kids or whatever. You kids all have my deepest sympathy. I know she will be deeply missed!"
"Deb & Family, I was so sorry to hear of Madonna\'s passing! I enjoyed working with her at Maquoketa Care Center several years ago. She was a hard worker, but often found time to share a smile, a funny antidote, or a chuckle with me... and many others. All Our Sympathy to you! Michelle & Mark Hughes "
"Deb Mike Mark and family. We are so sorry for the passing of Madonna.I have many found memories of your mother working with her for 17 years. Deb Al sends his sympathy to you he enjoyed working with you . You all have our deepest sympathies.your mother was such a wonderful person. May God bless you at this time of sottow. Al and Karen Clark"
"I will miss your smile, our laughs together and your kindness."
"Ma Donna was not only a great neighbor of 28 years; but, a good friend. She shared many memories of her family - her priority! I will so miss our back yard chats and trips to the city dump with our leaves and debris. Her memory will live on with many of us. "
"Deb , so sorry for your loss , I hope that you would be comforted in this time of loss . May GOD bless and keep you and bring peace and comfort to You and your Family."
"We are saddened to hear of Madonna\'s passing. She was a terrific person who cared so deeply for her family and everyone. She had such gentle ways and always took time to care and listen. It was wonderful having her as a neighbor across the street on Jones for many years and then talking after church about her wonderful family."
"Madonna, due to the Coronavirus I have been avoiding crowds. Because of this I will not be able to attend your visitation or funeral. Madonna, I do wish you the greatest of eternities!! Condolences to the rest of the family and friends!!"
"Deb and family I am so sorry for your loss"
"I just heard from a friend in Jackson County of Madonna\'a death. She was such a neat person. Her family lived neighbors to us north of Maquoketa and she went to Esgate country school with our family. Then many years later she lived two houses from Mom in town so we would see her occasionally. We would also see her at Maquoketa Care Center where she was admired so for her care of the elderly. She also is a distant relative connecting to both sides of my parents. She lived a good life and will be missed. "
"Deb and family. So sorry for your loss. "
"To the family- Madonna always had a smile when i seen her and got to chat with her..God needed a special angel to fill a spot and MaDonna will do a great jobat that.. Know i am thinking of each and everyone of you at this very hard time in life."
"So Sorry for your loss my prayers go out to the family during these difficult times she will be greatly missed. ???"
"My deepest sympathy to Madonna?s family. I was the director of nursing at Maquoketa Care Center for many years and was able to enjoy Madonna throughout that time. She was a great asset to the facility in her roles. She will be missed."
"Mike and family we are so sorry for your loss. Your mom eas a great lady. She will be missed.deb and roy wilhelm"
"Sorry for your loss...may God watch over the family during this time of passing "
"OMG IM SO VERY SORRY FOR UR LOSS , UR MOM WAS SUCH A WONDERFUL GAL "
"Deb & Family, So sadden to hear of MaDonna\'s passing. Just had a conversation with her the other day, will miss those. She will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. "
"Sorry for your family\'s loss. My deepest sympathies to all"
"Deb and family, sorry for the loss of your Mother, your family has our deepest condolences ?? big hugs to the family ?"
"My deepest sympathies, she was a kind, compassionate person. "
"Prayers out to the family! Rest In Peace Madonna!"
"So sad the passing of Madonna , i worked with her a few years at MCC, such a sweet lady and a hard worker, always had a little time to say hi and see how things were going for you, my thoughts and prayers goes out to her family as you say good-bye.."
"So sorry for your loss. I\'m sure she is looking down from heaven and still watching over you. Take care."
"Madonna was wonderful to work with and was one of the most caring and hardworking to those that she cared for. Prayers to the family."
"So very sorry for your loss Varner family, praying for you all at this sad time"
"So sorry for your loss?????Thoughts and prayers for family and friends."
"She will be .missed i worked with her very sweet lady"
"Mark and Jody so sorry to hear of your moms passing she was a wonderful mom and woman"
"Where does one start when remembering a dear friend and wonderful coworker! She loved and cared for her patient s and always took great care of them. She cared for and was most helpful to her coworkers. She was fun and loved dancing when our group went out to have fun. I am sure all her family will miss her a great deal because she cared very deeply for them! They were the light of her life. God Bless y?all during this difficult time! Prayers for God?s comfort in your grief."
"I remember Madonna from when my brother ran around with Donnie, I remember her being a real nice girl, I haven\'t seen her in years, my thoughts and prayers are with her family"
"Deb, Bill, Billie, Sarah, Jen and families, my deepest sympathy on your Mom/Nana\'s passing. Hold on tight to all of the wonderful memories to help you through the next days/weeks and months. What a beautiful reunion in heaven with your Dad and Jenner Jo. Gods Blessings to you all. "
"Deb, Mark & Mike - I cannot believe this and I am so very sorry for your loss! I have so many great memories of Madonna - she and my Mom, Donna, were quite a pair - out tearing up the town! That left all of us at home - watching scary movies on TV, popping popcorn and making pizza! We were family! So thankful for those great memories! Sending prayers and love to all of you. "
"heartfelt sympathies, Prayers and Hugs "
"Deb, Mark, and Mike so sorry for your loss, prayers being sent to all the family members!
Candie Potter Emery "
"So sorry for your family?s loss. You?re all in our thoughts and prayers."
"So very sad to see this. What a wonderful lady she is! Love and prayers to all the families ?"
"I?m so so sorry, Deb..and all the family...you?re all in my thoughts and prayers..much love..."
"I\'m very sorry for the loss of your mother Deb and Mike. My goodness ,Madonna was one of the best. I worked with her years ago at Crestridge and we always had so much fun. Heaven has truly gained an Angel. Prayers and hugs to you both and your entire family. Madonna left behind a wonderful legacy. "
"Sending thoughts and prayers for the families...sure gonna miss her little grey car parked across the street. Sweet lady. So sorry for your loss."
"Deb and family so sorry for your loss"
"Deb and family sending thoughts and prayers in the loss of your mother Madonna."