Orville H. Madsen

Northview - North Mankato Mortuary 2060 Commerce Drive Mankato, MN 56003 507-388-2288 Orville H. Madsen Born in Lincoln County near Arco, MN on December 1, 1923 to Einar and Ada (Welsand) Madsen. Orville grew up in a farming community around that area. He graduated the 8th grade from country school District # 76 and worked at W. P. Stork Produce Company in Tyler, MN. In 1944 he joined the army and served in Pacific Army Headquarters at Ft. Shafter, Honolulu, Hawaii. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and returned to farming near Russell, MN. Orville worked for Weiner Bros. as an engineer in Marshall, MN and Peter Schweitzer Flax Towing plants in Windom, MN. In February of 1952, Orville began working at what was then Mankato Teachers College as an Engineer where he worked for 38 years, 4 months and 5 days. During this time he worked as a Maintenance Engineer, Stationary Engineer, and Chief Engineer, retiring in April of 1990. Orville married Winifred O'Connor Huerkamp on June 27, 1970 at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Mankato, MN. He enjoyed world and domestic travel, sacred, classical and country western music, gardening and raising various flowers such as roses. He also enjoyed reading the bible and listening to various preachers on television. He is survived by his step-daughters; Ann (Michael) Walters Mapleton, MN, and Kathleen Beyer of Waseca MN; step-grandchildren, Jennifer (Don) Muzzy, Fargo, ND, Tracy Beyer, Spicer, MN, and Travis Beyer, Waseca, MN, Tracy (Craig) Hurley; Brother Verner Madsen, Sioux Falls, SD; sister Genevieve Larson, St. Cloud, MN, and half-sister, Karen Madsen, Minneapolis, MN Orville was a life-long member of V.F.W. 950 and member of American Legion Post 294, Lake Crystal, MN. Orville H. Madsen age 91, died Tuesday, October 6, 2015 at Pathstone Crossing in Mankato, MN. Private Services will be held at Northview- North Mankato Mortuary. Burial with military honors will be in Calvary Cemetery, Mapleton, MN. Orville lived and had a happy and blessed life by the grace of God. The family wishes to thank Pathstone Living, Mayo Clinic and Hospice for all the wonderful care they gave Orville.