Ivan "Ike" Leon Madsen

IVAN "IKE" LEON MADSEN was born to Marius and Astrid (Christiansen) Madsen on May 21, 1933 in Tyler, Minnesota where he was raised and received his education. After he graduated from Tyler High School, he attended South Dakota State College in Brookings, South Dakota and studied pharmacy. During this time, he also worked at Vadheim Drug in Tyler. Upon completion of his education, Ike returned to Tyler and continued working at Vadheim Drug. On June 5, 1955, he was united in marriage to Audrey Ann Nielsen at Danebod Lutheran Church in Tyler. Following their marriage, they lived for a short time in Tyler. On May 1, 1955, Ike enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in San Antonio, Texas. After his discharge from the service in June, 1958, they returned to Tyler. In September, 1959, they moved to Pipestone, Minnesota; and in 1960, they purchased Menzel Drug in Pipestone and renamed the business “Madsen Drug”. They continued to own and operate this business until 1980. At that time, Ike began working for various pharmacies in the Pipestone area. Audrey preceded him in death on June 3, 1994. After her death, Ike continued to reside in Pipestone. On January 15, 1995, he was united in marriage to Janice Nelson at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Pipestone. Following their marriage, they resided in Las Vegas, Nevada where Ike worked part-time at Medi Mail. He began full-time retirement in 2000. Jan preceded him in death on August 18, 2001. After her death, he continued to reside in Las Vegas until May, 2007, when he returned to Pipestone. In January, 2018, he became a resident of the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone. Later he was admitted to Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where he died surrounded by his family on Monday, June 3, 2019 at the age of 86 years and 13 days.

Ike was baptized, confirmed, and married at Danebod Lutheran Church in Tyler. While living in Pipestone, he was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church where he sang in the church choir. While living in Las Vegas, he was a member of Lamb of God Lutheran Church where he sang in the choir and with the men’s choir, known as the “Singing Shepherds”. He was also a member of the Pipestone Kiwanis Club, the Masonic Lodge, and the Pipestone Jaycees. He served the community of Pipestone as mayor, and he was a member of the Pipestone Chamber of Commerce. For over 27 years, he was a member of the Hiawatha Club in Pipestone. While living in Las Vegas, he sang in the Las Vegas Barbershop Choir and he served as the choir’s librarian for five years. He enjoyed playing golf and working.

He is lovingly remembered by his four children, JoAnn (Mike) Straw of Pipestone, Minnesota, Greg (Mary) Madsen of Kildeer, Illinois, Jeff (Patti) Madsen of Cave Creek, Arizona, and Melissa (Tom) Kruzel of Deadwood, South Dakota; seven grandchildren, Brad Straw, Sara (Shane) Delaney, James (Courtney) Madsen, Rob Madsen, Will Madsen, Danielle (Harley) Mecke and Nick Madsen; and three great-granddaughters, Kayleigh Straw, Aubrey and Mackenzie Delaney. He was preceded in death by his wife, Audrey; his wife, Janice; and his parents.