Robert "Bob" E. Madsen

Robert Edward Madsen “Bob” died surrounded by family on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at the Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital in Mankato, Minnesota at the age of 86.

Bob was born July 19, 1938, to Elmer H. and Louise M. (Svitak) Madsen in Minneapolis. As a boy, Bob achieved the award of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Roosevelt High School, Minneapolis in 1956. Following that, Bob served his country with the U.S. Navy on an aircraft carrier, USS Independence, stationed overseas. After his military service, he attended and graduated from Hamline University.

He was united in marriage with Joanne Wesseling on April 17, 1971, at the Richfield Methodist Church, Richfield, Minnesota and a new family was created with daughters, Michelle and Lesley Madsen.

Following graduation from Hamline University, Bob was a trust officer at Northwestern Bank in Minneapolis. He later joined First Computer Corporation where he used his trust knowledge to develop a personal trust system. He was trained in data processing programming by Joanne which is where they met. He moved to Mankato in 1986, first working for the data processing arm of the telephone company, Computoservice, and later worked for Clear with Computers as an executive. Following retirement, he did consulting work in northern Minnesota on the ‘Do IT’ program sponsored by the Iron Range Resources Board. 

Bob served on various boards of directors: Birnamwood Homes Association, Burnsville, MN; Quadna Mountain Townhouse Association, Hill City, MN; and Parkway Place Association, Mankato, MN. He also served on the First Presbyterian Properties Committee. He enjoyed golfing, fishing up north, boating and travel.

Bob is survived by his wife, Joanne; two daughters, Michelle Michaud and Lesley Brown; three grandchildren, Malorie (Zack) Becker, Lindsay (Peter) Henderson, and Chris Brown; four great-grandchildren, Joseph and Luke Becker, Paul and Patrick Henderson; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Marilyn; and son-in-law, Paul.

Funeral Service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at the First Presbyterian Church, Mankato followed by lunch. Visitation will be one hour before service at the church. Interment will be in Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials preferred to First Presbyterian Church, Ducks Unlimited, or Wounded Warriors.

The live stream link below is a complimentary service provided by

Mankato Area Funeral Homes.

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