Clarice Elaine Madson

Clarice Elaine Madson, 94, formerly of Mankato, died Saturday, May 16, 2020, under hospice care at English Rose Suites in Edina. A private family funeral service at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church and her burial in Somber, Iowa, are being planned. Memorials preferred to Mt. Olive Lutheran Church or Bethany Lutheran Seminary.

Clarice Elaine Huso was born at home to Albert and Amanda Huso on February 14, 1926, in Riceville, Iowa, and became one of God’s children through baptism on March 17, 1926. She attended grade school and high school in Northwood, Iowa, and from 1944 to 1946 she attended Bethany Lutheran College, studying music.

In 1946 she met the love of her life, Juul Benjamin Madson. She and Juul were married on September 14, 1946, and remained devoted to each other for 62 years of marriage until Juul passed away in 2008. Clarice and Juul were blessed by God with nine children:  Linda Kathleen Browning (Daniel), Mark Daniel Madson (Sharon), Paul Michael Madson (Karen), David Huso Madson (Jan), Jonathan Noel Madson (Sharen), Timothy Juul Madson (Susan), Matthew Abel Madson, Joseph Benjamin Madson (Tiann), and Jennifer Laura Pederson (Brian).

Clarice was a dedicated pastor’s wife from 1946-1970 in Northwood, Iowa; Tacoma, Washington; Mayville, North Dakota; and Cottonwood, Minnesota. She also worked as a florist during those years. In 1970, she moved to Mankato when Juul accepted a teaching position at Bethany Lutheran Seminary. While in Mankato, she took library science courses at Minnesota State and served as a librarian assistant at Bethany Lutheran College for over 20 years. She was an active member at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church where she sang in the choir and arranged flowers every Sunday for many years. In 2012 Clarice moved to Minnetonka and Edina for her final years to be closer to her daughters.

Her lovely soprano voice was one of her many gifts as she went on to sing in multiple choral groups including the Bethany College choir, numerous church choirs, the Minnesota Valley Chorale, and as a soloist at countless weddings and funerals. As a wonderful mother, Clarice supported her sons’ and grandchildren’s many athletic teams and graciously cooked and baked for her family and friends. However, she is most admired by her children for pointing them to their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Clarice is survived by eight children, 23 grandchildren, and 44 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Juul; her son, Paul; and her siblings: Wilford (Bill) Huso, Mable Tenold, Stella Smith, Gladys Smith, Doris Seward, and Wayne Huso. We rejoice that she now worships in heaven eternally before the throne of her Savior!

Blessed be her memory.