Dorothy Madsen

DOROTHY JEAN (THOMSSEN) MADSEN was born to Charles and Hazel (Kaufman) Thomssen on May 29, 1928 at her grandparents' home in Pipestone, Minnesota. She was baptized at the Trosky Methodist Church on May 12, 1929 and later confirmed on May 7, 1939. She attended school in Trosky until the eighth grade when her family moved to the countryside near Ruthton. She attended rural school in District 30 before starting high school in Ruthton, where she also met her future husband, Willard. She graduated from Ruthton High School in 1946.
She received her teaching certificate from the Lamberton Teachers School in 1947 and later graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University charter class in 1971. She taught in various rural schools for seven years before beginning her nearly 30 year teaching career at Ruthton Elementary, eventually retiring in 1992.
She married Willard Eldon Madsen on June 24, 1950 at First Presbyterian Church in Holland, Minnesota. Dorothy and Willard enjoyed 58 years of marriage and were blessed with three children, all raised on the family farm in rural Ruthton. She and Willard enjoyed traveling in their retirement and took many bus tours across the United States. She continued to live on the farm until shortly before her passing. On Thursday, September 23, 2021 she died peacefully at the Pipestone County Hospice House at the age of 93 years, three months, and 25 days.
She was a long-time member of Peace Lutheran Church, Ruthton, where she was active in the quilting group, Ladies Aide, and circles. She was an avid quilter and was skilled at embroidery. While she influenced many lives through her numerous years of teaching, she also touched many by the hundreds of handmade quilts she made throughout her life, especially in retirement. Her children and grandchildren will cherish her many handmade Christmas and birthday gifts that she made for each member of her family every year. Dorothy enjoyed leading Girl Scouts and 4-H in her younger years. She was a member of the Grandmother’s Club and the American Legion Auxiliary. She loved to pass the time doing crossword puzzles and playing card games.
She is survived by her three children, Lynette Matzen of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Jeffrey Madsen of Ruthton, and Timothy (Laurie) Madsen of Ruthton; four grandchildren, Kelsey, Katie, Philip, and Anna; and her sister, Isabell (Wayne) Biever of Luverne, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Willard; her parents; brother, Gordon Thomssen; son-in-law, Warren Matzen; and two infant children.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to either:
Shetek Lutheran Ministries
14 Keeley Island Drive
Slayton, MN 56172
or the Pipestone County Hospice House
309 10th St. SW
Pipestone, MN 56164