Earnest Laverne Madsen

Earnest LaVerne Madsen, the son of Hans and Sofie Kathrine Pedersen Madsen, was born August 5, 1926, at his parents’ home east of Hamlin, Iowa and died November 17, 2013, at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 87 years, 3 months, and 12 days. Earnest was baptized and confirmed at the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa. He attended the Exira Community Schools and the Exira High School. He worked for the Exira Creamery, Kozy Manufacturing, and later for the Home Oil Company in Audubon. He enlisted in the United States Army. During his tour of duty he served as a Private 1st Class in the infantry and served with the 16th Headquarters Troop, 1st Calvary Division. He was stationed in Japan. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and returned to Brayton, Iowa. Earnest and his bother Emmert opened a Bar/Restaurant in Elk Horn, Iowa for several years. Later he worked as a carpenter with his brothers Emmert and Arthur. On July 18, 1953, he was united in marriage to Norma Nadine Krogh in Maryville, Missouri. Six children: Melissa, Lori, Jeffrey, Jodi, Scott, and Natalie were born to this union. They lived in Audubon for a short time before moving onto and operating her parents’ farm. They lived on the farm for four years before moving to their present home in Exira. Earnest farmed and did carpentry work. In 1962, Earnest lost his leg in an accident. While recovering from his surgery he attended Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa where he studied graphic arts for two years. He ran for the Audubon County Recorder. He returned to carpentry and then retired due to his failing health. Norma died January 20, 2006. Earnest has continued to live in his home. Earnest was a member of the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa. He was a member of the Brayton American Legion Post #350 and the Audubon V.F.W. Post #4119. Earnest was preceded in death by his wife Norma N. Madsen; his parents; his father-in-law and mother-in-law: Chris and Sena Krogh; his brothers and sisters: Mable and Chuck Petersen; Margaret and Edward Mortensen; his infant brother Arthur Madsen; Arthur P. Madsen; Leonard and Hazel Madsen; Emmert and Norma M. Madsen; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Magner Krogh; Emmert and Phyllis Krogh; Annis and Floyd Zinke. Survivors include his children: Melissa and husband David LaFoy of Hamlin, Iowa; Lori and husband Mel Lawrenson of Omaha, Nebraska; Jeffrey and wife Jean Madsen; Jodi and husband Bill Haley; Scott Madsen; Natalie and husband Gary Smouse all of Exira, Iowa; his grandchildren: Krystal and husband Mike Albertsen of Audubon, Iowa and their children Gracye and Sienna; Amber and husband Scott Jensen of Atlantic, Iowa and their children Olivia and Evan; Jacob Smouse; Erin Smouse and Mark Phippen and their daughter Lauren; Hannah Jessen; Nick Haley all of Exira; Chris and wife Shandy Schultes of Audubon and their children Kaitlin, Skyler, Elly, and Brody; Keith and wife Diane Schultes of West Branch, Iowa and their children Olivia, Avery, and Addison; Cory and wife Steph Schultes of Johnston, Iowa and their children Peyton and Rylan; Craig and wife Sara Schultes of Paris, Arkansas and their children Brooklyn and Nash; Kyle and wife Christina Nelson of Exira and their children Aubrey, Brenna, and Carter; Kelli Nelson of Liberty, Missouri; his sister-in-law Norma June Madsen of Exira; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Exira Cemetery in Exira, Iowa.

Visitation:
The family will meet with friends Wednesday evening at 5:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira.

Service:
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Steven Frock and Visitation Pastor Dwayne Ferguson on Thursday, November 21, 2013, at 2:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa.