Lorraine Ardell Madsen

Lorraine Madsen, age 102 of Menahga, Minnesota, passed away on March 16, 2023 at Woodside Manor Assisted Living in Menahga. A Celebration of Life will be held 1:30 PM Saturday, May 13, 2023 at First English Lutheran Church in Menahga, MN with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be 1:00 PM Monday, May 15. 2023 at New Hope Church, rural Hayti, SD. Lorraine Ardell Tarum Madsen was born to Arthur and Mabel Tarum in rural Hazel, South Dakota on October 11, 1920. She was baptized and confirmed at New Hope Lutheran Church near Hayti, SD. Lorraine attended country school for 8 years and graduated from Hayti High School in 1938. Soon after she attended Madison State College in Madison, SD, and Spearfish Teachers College in Spearfish, SD. She began her teaching career in 1941 in country schools near Thomas, SD, during which she met Howard Madsen who had recently returned from WWII. They were married on November 28, 1946 at New Hope Church and moved to Huron, SD, where she worked at Huron College in the Treasury Office, and Howard finished his Education degree. In 1957, Lorraine and Howard moved to Huntley, later to Brownton (1962-69) and finally Menahga (1969). Lorraine became active in First English Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, played in bell choir, and attended Bible studies and Ladies Circle. She was an active member of the Menahga Garden Club, a life member of Auxiliary VFW Post 6206 of Menahga, served on the Green Pine Acres Nursing Home Board, and volunteered at the Menahga Area Historical Society and Museum. She also worked at the Menahga Medical Clinic as an assistant to Dr. Howard Mortenson. Lorraine’s hobbies included making Christmas stockings for her 12 grandchildren, entertaining and baking for family and friends, playing board games, pinochle and whist. Lorraine enjoyed traveling across the United States and overseas and tending to her flower gardens. Later in life her favorite pastime became watching Twins baseball. Lorraine kept the boxscore for all games, knew the pitching rotation and daily lineup. Perhaps the baseball interest stemmed from her youth when she played first base for a SD girl’s team and was affectionately referred to as “Rip-em-Up Tarum” Lorraine is survived by her children, Craig (Nancy) of Arvada, CO, Brad (Margaret) of Dawson, MN, Brian (Debbie) of Menahga, MN, Kevin (Pilar) of Vancouver, WA, and Kent (Peggy) of Ft. Collins, CO; grandchildren: Jessica Schmitz (Leo), Jackie Wilson (Seth), Tammy Madsen, Ben Madsen (Liana), Scott Madsen, Kayla Ortega Madsen (Manuel), Chase Madsen, Connor Madsen (Mandi), Michelle Whitmire (Ryder), Michael Madsen, Kristine Hood Madsen (Caleb), Mikaela Madsen; and great-grandchildren: Olivia Wilson, Bowen Madsen, Andrina Madsen, Liam Wilson, Lorena Ortega Madsen; Sister, Bess Smith (Gene) of Visalia, CA, and many nieces and nephews. Preceding Lorraine in death are her parents, Arthur and Mabel; brother, Dale Tarum; sisters, Carol Boyd, Edrey Westmoreland and husband, Howard Madsen.