Elmer Madsen

Elmer Robert Madsen, son of Mads and Bodil (Oleson) Madsen, was born March 28, 1922 in Graceville, MN. He was baptized August 31, 1924, at his family farm by Rev. Immanuel P. Frey and was confirmed on February 16, 1947 at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Graceville by Rev. H.A. Mutterer. Elmer received his education at the Graceville Public Schools.



Elmer was in the United States Army serving as an Army Infantry Squad Leader. He was inducted into the Army on October 30, 1942 and was honorably discharged on November 29, 1945. He was active in WWII, and continued serving with the Army Reserve. He fought in the Korean War from October 23, 1950 through July 26, 1951.



Elmer was a well decorated solider. Many of the honors he received were the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star, Good Conduct Decoration, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, American Campaign, Expert Rifle Man, Victory WWII, and the Korean Service Pendant.



Elmer was united in marriage to Bernice Zimmerman on December 17, 1947 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Johnson, MN, by Rev. Paul Kuske. The couple continued to live in Chokio and Graceville where they raised their four daughters: Susan, Chris, Cindy, and Jill. Elmer owned and operated Madsen Bus Service and Standard Oil Station. After retirement, Elmer worked with the construction crew that built Grace Home, served as the grounds keeper at the Graceville Golf Club, and owned and operated Graceville Golf Cars. Elmer and Bernice enjoyed delivering flowers for their daughter’s business.



Elmer was a life long member of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Graceville, serving on the church Council Board as secretary and president. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #297, the Snowmobile Club, and the Graceville Fire Department. Through his life, Elmer enjoyed golfing, camping, snowmobiling, bowling, shooting pool, horseback riding, hunting, singing, and especially spending time with his children and grandchildren. He believed a man should work a long, hard day and mix life with family time, friends, and fun.



Elmer died on September 17, 2008, at Grace Home in Graceville, having lived to reach the age of 86 years.



He is survived by his wife, Bernice of 60 years; children: Susan Townsend of Pipestone, MN, Christine (Fritz) Wulff of Liberty, TX, Cindy (Dave) Taffe of Morris, MN, and Jill (Rick) Hennessy of Graceville, MN; grandchildren: Robb (Toni), Matthew, and Andrew Townsend, Sarah (John) Gallander, Erika (Marcus) Tolar, Emily Wulff ( Fiance Mike Doyle), Amanda (Aaron) Blom, Lacey (Greg) Veenendaal, Bryan Taffe, Josh Hennessy (Fiance Lisa VanHorn), Justin Hennessy (Girlfriend Stacy Gaulrapp), Rhonda Hennessy and Jordon (Brietta) Hennessy; great-grandchildren, Dylan, Brady, and Dominic Townsend, Seth, Eva, and Kira Gallander, Kiya Blom, Andrew Hennessy, Gunner Hennessy, Isaac Ebnet, and Makaya Hennessy; sister, Jean (Howard) Zimbrick of Beardsley, MN; sister-in-law Judi Gregory of Fort Lauderdale, FL.



He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters: Anna Dion, Lily Johnson, Jeanette Phebus, Betty Fischer, and Harriet Hoffman, and brothers: Leigh Madsen and George Madsen.