Leroy William Madison

LEROY WILLIAM MADISON, was born on December 7, 1936 on a small farm northwest of Adrian, Minnesota to Floyd and Alma (Wieneke) Madison. He was raised on the farm, and attended rural school until the eighth grade and later went on to complete his GED in 1955. He enlisted in the National Guard in 1957 and served until 1963. He continued working on the farm until 1965 when he married the love of his life, Alverna Mary Beckmann. The couple moved to their own farm a few miles down the road and then to a farm southeast of Kenneth. In 1976, the couple moved to their current farm north of Wilmont, Minnesota. Leroy and Alverna were blessed with four children, 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grand-children, all of whom they loved deeply. Leroy was also very fond of his horses and was a gifted caretaker of the animals on his farm. He milked cows until he was 70 years old and he was an active farmer until his death. Though his primary passion was being a father and a farmer, Leroy also held various jobs throughout the years including a truck driver working for Gangstad’s, picking up canned milk from area farmers, and selling and delivering Archer oil. In the summer of 2021, after a stay in the hospital, Leroy was transferred to the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Canton, South Dakota. While at Canton, his granddaughter, Nicole, became an important part of his life, helping to make his time there brighter, which he was very grateful for. In the early morning of February 8, 2022, Leroy passed away peacefully surrounded by family at the age of 85 years, 2 months, and 1 day.

Leroy is lovingly remembered as a very hard worker who strived to care for his family and his farm. He loved his family and was always very patient and kind, especially toward his grandchildren, and he enjoyed passing on his lessons and stories to any who would listen. He enjoyed horses in particular and was able to join his family trail-riding after his 80th birthday. He was also fond of welding and attending auctions when he was able to find time. He was a life-long member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of the St. Kilian Holy Name Society. Outside of his work ethic, he is remembered for his quick wit, his loud laugh, and his unique ability to wiggle his ears, a skill he loved to show off to the delight of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife of 56 years, Alverna Madison of Wilmont, Minnesota and his four children, Dennis (Melanie) Madison of Magnolia, Minnesota and their children Jacob and Lucas, Leslie Madison of Rushmore, Minnesota, and his children Paige, Blake and Lauren, Allen (Michelle) Madison of Reading, Minnesota, and their children Nicole (Tommy Sithad), Nathan (Claire Christie) and Zack, and Lynn (Robert) Somnis of Magnolia, Minnesota, and their children Sierra (Addison) Jobe, Adam (Linda Zheng) and Eric; three great-grandchildren, Rayden Madison, Ellowny Jobe, Korbin Jobe, and one more on the way; siblings, Morris (Brenda) Madison of Aurora, Colorado, Earl (Marilyn) Madison of Adrian, Rita Becker of Pueblo, Colorado, Joyce Faragher and her friend Harold of Worthington, Minnesota, Dianne Beckmann of Wilmont, and Margaret Pick and her friend Gene of Luverne, Minnesota; sisters-in-law Karen Madison of Adrian, and Marie Onken of Reading; and brother-in-law Norman Beckmann of Wilmont. Leroy was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Alma Madison; brothers, Edward Madison and Gary Madison; sisters, Janet Madison, Joan Taylor, and Agnes Beckmann; and brothers-in-law, Jim Taylor, Harold Beckmann, Phil Faragher, Dick Becker, Joe Beckmann, Gerald Pick, and Myron Onken.

In lieu of flowers, family request donations be sent to St. Kilian Catholic Church.