Darrel Alan Madsen Sr., 88, of Wahoo (formerly from Fremont) was called to Heaven by our Lord on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024.
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Fremont with a Knights of Columbus Living Rosary following at 7.
Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 5 at the church. Burial with military honors will be at Calvary Cemetery in Fremont
He was born to Albert and Anna (Andersen) Madsen on January 7, 1936. His parents preceded him in death.
Darrel was raised on a farm west of Blair and enjoyed telling stories of his farming days. He was proud of his Danish heritage and enjoyed teaching his children some of the language he grew up with. He graduated from Herman High School in 1954. He was a Korean War Veteran, serving in the U.S. Air Force from 1954-1955.
Darrel met the love of his life, Elizabeth (Studeny) Madsen in 1956 through a friend. Elizabeth preceded him in death on November 13, 2024. Darrel and Elizabeth were married on August 10, 1957, at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Blair. They recently celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary in August with a large number of their family and friends.
He worked for Buck Shoes for 5-1/2 years and began working at Valmont Industries in 1965, before retiring in 1995. Darrel was a great man of faith and was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus 3rd and 4th Degree, Fremont American Legion Post 20, Eagles Club 200, Right to Life; former member of the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Parish Council, Legion of Mary and Evangelization Committee.
He enjoyed time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and attending his children and grandchildren’s games and activities. Darrel enjoyed shooting some hoops and playing baseball with his children.
He was preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth; parents, daughter-in-law, Melinda Madsen; his sister, Esther Madsen; brother and sister-in -law, Albert Madsen Jr. and Alice; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Marie Neuman; sister-in-law, Leslie Studeny; sisters and brothers-in-law, George and Irma Bray, Earl and Lucille Wulf.
Darrel is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Marcia (Jerry) Klassen of Arvada, Colorado, Joanne (Ron) Zoucha of Columbus, Julie (Al) Jansa of Wahoo, Maureen (Chris) Zavadil of Fremont; sons and daughter-in-law, Darrel (Karen) Madsen of Newark, Ohio, Jeff Madsen and Chris Madsen, both of Fremont.
He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Frank and Margaret Studeny of Fremont, and Ron Studeny of Phoenix, Arizona; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the family or St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Fremont.
