Marjorie A. Madsen, 99, of Minden, passed away on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at Bethany Home in Minden. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at Minden United Methodist Church with Rev. Peter Choi officiating. Private family interment will be held prior to the services at the Minden Cemetery. The service will be streamed to the church's Facebook and YouTube pages. A fellowship gathering will be held at 1:00 p.m. later that day at the Minden Country Club. There will be no visitation. Memorials in Marjorie's honor are kindly suggested to the family for later designation. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden.
Marjorie Ann (Parker) Madsen was born on June 24, 1923 to Ora and Theo (Mooberry) Parker in Dorchester, NE. Marge and her siblings, Bette and Royce, were raised in Poole, NE. She received her education and graduated from Ravenna High School in 1940, then her family moved to Minden.
Marge began her business career and working with the public right out of high school, taking a job at the Kearney County Courthouse in the rationing applications and books department.
On November 29, 1944 Marge and Bob Madsen were united in marriage in Oakland, CA, Bob was enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II. They moved to West Virginia, where Marge was a secretary in the office to help build battleships and the first aircraft carrier named Midway.
Marge and Bob welcomed their son, James Robert, on January 20, 1947 to their family. Marge said that having Jim was the most memorable experience of her life and her pride and joy.
Marge became the secretary to the County Superintendent for Kearney County for many years. She and Bob owned a shoe store in Minden's downtown district called Bob's Shoe Store for many years and then another year on her own after Bob's passing on January 7, 1973. Then in 1975, Marge was offered the job as director of the Minden Chamber of Commerce. For 26 years she promoted Minden's business community. Marge often mentioned "I have always been a 'PR' person", "I loved it". She said, "Minden was fortunate to have three big attractions for tourism, Harold Warp Pioneer Village, the Minden Opera House and the Kearney County Courthouse during the holidays". She loved her job.
Marge loved dancing, Nebraska football games, Kansas City Royals baseball, golf, cards, and entertaining friends and family. Marge belonged to the Kearney County Hospital Auxiliary, United Methodist Women's Auxiliary, and was a member of Minden United Methodist Church for over 80 years. She also served on Minden's American Legion Auxiliary for 76 years, the Eastern Star Chapter #182, and became an Admiral of Nebraska's Navy. Marge experienced a lot of life in her 99 years.
The Madsen family, especially her son Jim, will truly miss Marge. She had such a wonderful sense of humor, was fun, kind, devoted to her job and family, a good listener when needed, and loved her family most of all. She will remain in our hearts forever.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Madsen; parents, Ora and Theo Parker; brother, Royce Parker; sister, Bette Whitte; daughter-in-law, Ioda Madsen; brother-in-law, Glenn Whitte; step-grandsons, Clark and Mark Gregg.
Those left to cherish her memory include her son and daughter-in-law, Dr. James "Doc" and Virginia Madsen of Minden, NE; step-granddaughter and husband, Jill and Scott Shipley of Shickley, NE; step-grandson and wife, Alexander and Michelle McIntyre of Orlando, FL; step-great-granddaughters, Jacey and Chris Hill of Shickley, NE and Destini Kinsey of Grand Island, NE; step-great-grandsons, Raleigh Shipley of Shickley, NE, Richard and Patrick McIntyre of Orlando, FL; step-great-great-grandson, Jaxson Hill of Shickley, NE; step-great-great-granddaughters, Masiyha, Syncere, and Blessing Kinsey of Grand Island, NE; along with many nephews, nieces, cousins and family members.
Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at
www.craigfunerals.com
.