Amanda Madson

Amanda Madson departed this life, and went to heaven on Wednesday, March 20, 2019.  Her funeral will be Held at Peace Lutheran Church in North Mankato on Saturday, March 23^rd, 2019 at 11 a.m.  Visitation will be on Friday at the church from 5 to 8 p.m., and also an hour before the service on Saturday.

In her heart, as she made the transition from her earthly home to her heavenly home, were the sentiments expressed in one of her favorite hymns:

“Thanks to Thee, O Christ victorious!

Thanks to Thee, O Lord of life!

Death hath now no power o’er us,

Thou hast conquered in the strife.

Thanks because Thou didst arise

And has opened Paradise!

None can fully sing the glory

Of the resurrection story.

(ELH #354, 2)

Amanda Olivia (Tjernagel) Madson was born February 25^th, 1936 at New Hampton, Iowa to Otto and Amanda (nee Huso) Tjernagel.  She was baptized, and made a member of God’s family, at the Jericho Lutheran Church on March 29, 1936, by the Rev. H.M. Tjernagel.  She was confirmed in the Lutheran faith on August 27, 1950 at Lake Mills Lutheran Church by Rev. Iver C. Johnson. She received her elementary school education (K-6) at Lime Creek Lutheran School, Lake Mills, Iowa, and grades 7-9 at the Lake Mills Public School.  She received her last three years of high school education at Bethany Lutheran High School, Mankato, Minnesota.  She attended Bethany Lutheran College for three years, graduating in 1957. She taught for one year at our Savior’s Lutheran School, Princeton, Minnesota from September 1957 to May of 1958.

On July 5, 1958 she married Norman A. Madson, Jr. at the Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lake Mills, Iowa.  Their marriage was blessed with five children: Rebecca, Daniel, Michael, Elisabeth and Peter.

Amanda had been blessed by the Lord with many talents – musical, sewing & quilting, wood-working, good writer (her annual Christmas letters would testify to that).  She was a true “helpmate” to her husband in the various parishes he served.  Wherever she could help out, she did – organ playing, choir directing, Sunday School and VBS teaching, and even church cleaner in one parish, earning money so that our children could attend a nearby Lutheran high school.  She taught piano lessons for 44 years, including members of the various congregations, and members of the community.  As for her wood-working skills, she especially enjoyed making Advent wreaths and lefse boards with cloth covers.  In her retirement years she used her musical talents to play for church services whenever needed, to accompany the church choir and the pre-school.  For many years she saw to that HS seniors in our Peace congregation were given a home-made quilt at graduation time.

She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant brother, Paul, her sister, Mildrid Nickson, and daughter, Rebecca Lussky.  She is survived by her husband, Norman, son-in-law Glenn Lussky, and her four children – Daniel (Lisa), Michael, Elisabeth (David) Nitardy, Peter, and her brother, Sven Tjernagel.  Also left to mourn her passing are 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

At the committal service at Norseland Lutheran cemetery, according to her request, we will sing a hymn that includes this dramatic stanza:

“Satan, hear this proclamation:

I am baptized into Christ.

Drop your ugly accusation,

I am not so soon enticed.

Now that to the font I’ve travelled,

All your might has come unravelled,

And against your tyranny,

God my Lord unites with me!”

(ELH #246, 3)

BLESSED BE HER MEMORY!

Amanda and her family members are truly grateful for all the kindnesses shown by relatives, members of Peace Lutheran congregation, pastors Hartwig and Moldstad, neighbors and friends, and by the kind hospice workers.

(In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Peace Lutheran Church or to the Bethany Lutheran College Music Department.)