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Bessie 'Bess' Madsen

Lead Summary

April 27, 1932 — Oct. 19, 2024

Bessie “Bess” Elizabeth Madsen, daughter of Earl A. Ashcraft and Gladys P. Cooper Ashcraft was born April 27, 1932, in Modale. Her childhood years were spent in Modale, Salix and Sioux City. She received her education in Sioux City.

Bess married Robert W. Madsen Aug. 15, 1950, in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sioux City. They lived in Sioux City and Vermillion, South Dakota, before moving to Spencer in 1951. Since that time this community has been home for Bess and Bob and is where they raised their family. Bob passed away on Nov. 10, 2010. They were married for 60 years.

Bess was a longtime member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Spencer where she was a member of the BLCW and Miriam Circle and was involved in other parish programs. She also served on the board of directors for St. Luke’s Home. She loved serving the church and its people. Over her early years, she helped love 13 different foster children while raising her own. In her latter years, Bess freely assisted anyone she could. Besides her love of people, Bess enjoyed bowling, golfing, traveling, reading and bird watching, and had a gifted hand to arrange flowers.

Bess passed away on Oct. 19, 2024, at the age of 92.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; her mother; her father; her stepmother; granddaughter, Kristy Madsen; sister Lillian May Ashcraft Sletvold; sister-in-law Judy Ashcraft; and great-granddaughter, Eloise Joy Burow.

She is survived by one daughter, Deborah E Burow of Spencer; former son-in-law, Greg Burow of North Cape May, New Jersey; two sons and their wives, David W Madsen and wife Shirley of Pleasant Hill, California; Dr Daniel K Madsen and wife Roxann of Chillicothe, Ohio, and one “son” Shane Umbrell and wife Heidi of Chandler, Arizona. Bess has ten grandchildren and fifteen greatgrandchildren surviving. Also surviving her a half-brother Glenn Ashcraft of Sioux City, and niece Kelly Anbach and husband Bob of Leland, Florida, and many other relatives and friends.

Bess left a legacy of love and forgiveness surpassed by none. Besides her savior, Jesus Christ, her family was her greatest treasure, and she made that abundantly clear. With a smile that could light up a room and a gentle and kind heart, she will be sorely missed! Well done, Bessie E. Madsen, you finished the race!

A celebration of life service will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church in Spencer on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at 11 a.m.

A memorial service for family and friends unable to attend will be held at a later date at Open Door Church in Chillicothe, Ohio, where she spent her final days.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethany Lutheran Church.

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