Wesley A. Madson, age 90, of Lakeville, MN, formerly of New Prague, passed away with his wife by his side on February 9, 2021 at the Fountains at Hosanna Senior Living in Lakeville.
Funeral Service was held on Monday, February 15, 2021 at Fish Lake Immanuel Lutheran Church, 20200 Fairlawn Ave, Prior Lake, MN 55372 with Reverend Brent Parrish officiating. Public visitation from 9:30 AM to 10:50 AM prior to service. Masks will be required, and social distancing maintained. Interment Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery. Service was live-streamed on Fish Lake Immanuel Lutheran Church’s Facebook page. A recording is available at the following link: Wesley Madson Service .
Wesley Arden was born on November 10, 1930 to Ingolf and Thea (Erlandson) Madson in Dalton, MN. The second youngest of five children, Wesley grew up and lived on the family farm near Dalton, MN his entire childhood. He attended Dalton grade school until grade 8 before going to boarding school at the University of Minnesota Agricultural School, Crookston, MN, grades 9-12. Following graduation, Wesley enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served honorably from 1948 to 1952 before moving back to the family farm in Dalton, where he worked until 1965. After that, Wesley drove trucks for Barrett Mobile Home Transport Co. until 1970 before deciding to go into business with his brother, co-owning and managing Camelot Mobile Home Park in North Mankato until his retirement in December of 1986.
Wesley’s life was changed forever on June 6, 1969 at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Mankato, MN when he was united in marriage with Inez O. Murrain. Their marriage would go on to last 52 years, moving together from North Mankato, to Richville, to New Prague, and eventually Lakeville, gifted with seven children throughout. Wesley was a creator and builder his whole life, and was always involved with various projects and jobs, particularly for his children and grandchildren over the years. He helped build many houses and furniture pieces, did landscaping, remodeling, and loved to garden. The best years of Wesley’s life were at his beloved lake home on Pickerel Lake. He landscaped it with a large garden, multiple flower beds, a flawless lawn, lighted concrete steps down to the dock, and a pristine view of the lake with all the boats motoring by. Wesley took pleasure in simple beauties of life, and his creations reflected that.
Later in life, Wesley and Inez enjoyed many trips around the country, visiting their children and enjoying each other’s company. They are members of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Prior Lake.
Ever the optimist, Wesley had a big heart, was always good natured, reliable, and generous, particularly when it came to his family. He will be greatly missed by his loving wife, Inez Madson; children, Denise (Dick) Grefe of Ottertail, MN, Lauri (Jim) Hanson of Battle Lake, MN, Daniel (Kim) Madson of Pelican Rapids, MN, Stephanie (Victor) Pilolla of River Grove, IL, Craig (Betsy) Madson of Edina, MN, Kelli Jean (Mark) Sletta of Elko New Market, MN, and Eric (Jessica) Madson of New Prague, MN; 22 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; sister, Nellda (Floyd) Lehne; and many nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandchild, Jesse Madson; great-grandchild, Eric Zimmer Jr; and siblings, LeRoy (Pat) Madson, Milton (Dorothy) Madson, and Orrin (Lois) Madson.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation proudly cared for and served the Madson family
(952) 447-2633
