David Lloyd Madson

He was the third of four boys born to Lloyd and Renetta Madson. He absorbed his father’s business acumen and grew up helping in the family’s grocery store, even single-handedly running the store when he was just 16 years old. He served honorably in the U.S. Army from 1964-67 and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan.

In September 1965, Dave married Gail Rae Peterson and in 1971, they moved from Minneapolis with their two small children to Parkers Prairie. Dave bought Madson’s Food Store from his father and ran it with his signature rock-solid work ethic, continually making improvements for the next 35 years until it closed in 2006.

He was very active in the Parkers Prairie Commercial Club of business leaders and was always involved in civic events, including the annual Fall Festival. He was instrumental in helping to raise funds for a swimming pool, which was built in 1977. Although Dave never learned how to swim (in the land of 10,000 lakes!) he wanted the kids in the community to have the opportunity to acquire the skill.

Dave Madson was an honorable man and will be remembered for his generosity, warmth, and dry sense of humor. He is probably playing Yahtzee with the angels right now and entertaining them with his corny jokes. He will be greatly missed.

Dave is survived by Gail, his loving wife of 60 years; daughter, Jennifer Langland of Minneapolis; son, Michael (Gabby) Madson and granddaughter Isabella of River Falls, WI; brothers, Greg Madson of Minneapolis and John (Nancy) Madson of Burnsville; and many in-laws, nieces, and nephews. In addition to his parents, Dave was preceded in death by his brother Gayle.

A memorial service celebrating Dave’s life will follow at a later date.