Ethel Mae Deslauriers Madson age 89 of Westbrook passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at Westbrook Good Samaritan. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 2 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Dovray. Visitation is 4:00-7:00 p.m. Sunday at the Westbrook Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Monday. Interment is in Westbrook Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent via www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Westbrook Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Ethel Mae (Deslauriers) Madson was born February 9, 1925 in Avoca, Minnesota to Elmer and Roselia (Illg) Deslauriers. She was baptized and confirmed at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Currie, and it was there that Ethel married Floyd Madson on October 7, 1940. After marriage, Ethel joined Trinity Lutheran Church in Westbrook, and when she and Floyd moved to a farmplace northeast of Dovray, Ethel became a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Dovray. She was very active with Welca, and also served the church as a Sunday school teacher. Ethel was a homemaker and farm wife, and enjoyed gardening and canning. She provided 48 years of service as a nurse’s aide at Dr. Henry Schmidt Memorial Hospital in Westbrook, which later became an affiliate of Sioux Valley and Sanford. Ethel was a member of the Rosehill Farmer’s Union for many years and was currently serving as Treasurer. She also volunteered her time with the Westbrook Lions, Dovray Legion Auxiliary, Dovray Dumplings, and Dovray Boosters, through which she volunteered at the café. Ethel was never one to ask, but was always ready when asked.
Ethel is survived by her 5 children: RoeAnn Vosberg, Patricia Madson, Terri (Jeff) Hughes, all of Westbrook, Thomas Madson of Sacred Heart, and Robert (Kristie) Madson of New Hope; grandchildren: Kim (Trevor) Preston, Barb Hughes, Denise (Darwin) Ulvestad, Becky (Andy) Foster, Aaron and Katheryn Madson, and Allen Donkersloot. She is also survived by great grandchildren: Blair and Reid Preston, Marcus and Ashton Hughes, Westin and Logan Ulvestad, Shelby, Sydney, and Savannah Foster, Shawn, Trish, and David Donkersloot; 11 great-great-grandchildren; brother Norbert Deslauriers of Canby; and siblings-in-law: Stanley (Ruth) Madson, Fritz Ockenfels and Margaret Madson. She is preceded in death by her parents, parents-in-law Thorvald and Gunda (Hojem) Madson, husband, son-in-law Leo Vosberg, one great-grandson, sisters: Helen (Leo) Staples, Joyce (Marcel) Homan, Verdella (Tom) Slater, siblings-in-law: Phyllis Deslauriers, Gracella Ockenfels, Moina (Arnold) Berntson, Joseph Madson, and Thelma Madson, and close friend Harold DeSchepper.
Passing along sympathy to Ethel’s family. I will be sending a card to the funeral home as I do not have an address to send it to. Sorry I could not make it to the services. I remember Ethel as a very fun loving lady, always friendly who loved good conversation. May God be with you all!!!!!!
Dear Madson Family, our hearts go out to all your family at this sad time. You are in our prayers.
Ethel was such a sweet lady with a great big heart. She treated me like a daughter. I loved sitting with her and visiting with her. She always listened when I felt like talking and always asked how me and my family were doing. I loved her hugs and she loved my shoulder rubs. She was always encouraging and looked on the bright side of things. She put up with people even when no one else knew how. She would brag about her family too. Most of all she always had a smile on her face. What a lovely woman.