Kendra M. Madetzke

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KENDRA MICHELLE MADETZKE was born February 24, 1983, to Donald and Emily (Robinson) Madetzke in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She grew up on the family farm in Jasper, Minnesota, where she loved playing outside with her siblings and playing with all the animals on the farm. Her pets on the farm included sheep, pigs, horses, cats, and even a deer. Kendra attended Jasper elementary school and then Pipestone-Jasper High School. She was involved in 4-H, girl scouts, and band (played the oboe and in percussion). She was baptized in the spring of 1998 at Benton Lutheran Church in Crooks, South Dakota. Kendra graduated from Dell Rapids High School in 2001. After graduation, she attended college at South Dakota State University for two years. Following college, Kendra moved to Colorado with her sister and worked in property management. She later worked as Assistant Registrar at DeVry University for four years. Kendra was blessed with a daughter, Jaiana “J.J.” Philson, in 2008 and moved back to Sioux Falls a few years later. At around the age of 28, Kendra started to struggle with her own demons and mental illness which included addiction and eating disorder. Through it all, she relied on her faith and hoped one day to find peace. Kendra passed away at her home on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, at the age 38 years, seven months, and four days.

Kendra had a passion for writing, especially poems. She had always wanted to write her own book. Kendra was extremely proud of her daughter and loved spending time with her daughter, family, and friends, who were very important to her. Kendra was the life of the party, loved to socialize, and have a good time. She was an enigma and very loved. Kendra will be deeply missed. Her family would like her story to remind you that people who are suffering deserve love, acceptance and support and access to universal mental health care. In lieu of flowers, her family would ask for donations to the Olive Juice Fund at the Minneapolis Foundation to assist people seeking mental health treatment. We are also collecting memories of Kendra for a book for her daughter, and we would appreciate as many stories as we can get to help Jaiana get through this difficult time. They can be mailed to 900 S Glendale Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104 or emailed to eliciakortus@gmail.com.

Kendra is survived by her daughter, Jaiana “J.J.” Philson; parents, Donald and Emily Madetzke of Jasper; sisters, Elicia (Robert) Kortus of Sioux Falls and Bethany Madetzke of St. Paul, Minnesota; brothers, Kyle (Jenilee) Madetzke of Baltic, South Dakota, and Daron (Mary) Madetzke of Spring Creek, Nevada; grandmother, Janet Robinson; seven nieces and nephews; and many other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Samuel Robinson; and paternal grandparents, Gustave and Ellen Ann Madetzke.


Memorials may be directed to the Olive Juice Fund at the Minneapolis Foundation for mental health treatment. Online donations or an address to write a check to the foundation are located at the bottom of the page.