Larry L. Madsen
Larry L. Madsen died Oct. 26, 2009, at his home in Goldendale.
He was born March 18, 1941, in LaJunta, Colo., to Hannah (Porter) and Fay C. Madsen. He grew up in LaJunta and Swink and graduated from LaJunta High School in 1959. After high school he went to work for SantaFe Railroad. While working for the railroad, he sustained a severe injury and left the company. He operated a service/repair station for several years before leaving LaJunta and settling in the Northwest, where he began his railroad career with Burlington Northern. He lived in the Vancouver area for several years before moving to Wishram. He married his high school sweetheart, Jeanette Sue Wilson, Nov. 23, 1990, and in 1993 they moved to Goldendale. After 33 years with Burlington Northern, he was retired due to declining health.
Larry loved Harley Davidson motorcycles and restoring classic cars. He was an avid Denver Broncos fan and a golfer with a membership at Goldendale Golf Course. He enjoyed table games, gardening, and kids. He crafted many birdhouses out of the gourds he grew. Larry was renowned for being a master teller of jokes. Larry served on the Wishram School Board and was president of his local union.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Sheryl Miller, Delma Lee Simpson and Doris Ann Madsen; and one brother, Bob Madsen.
He is survived by his wife Jeanette, at home in Goldendale; children Peggy Sue Corbin-Romero of Colorado, Larry Madsen of Michigan, Carl Madsen of South Carolina, Suzette Lynch of Scappoose, Ore., Rick Corbin of California, Gerald Madsen of Vancouver; Bryan Madsen of Idaho, and Hannah Madsen of Battle Ground; 18 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; brothers Dwayne Madsen of Iowa and Darrel Madsen of Colorado, and one sister, Sandy Barry, of Enumclaw.
The family requests that memorials in Larry's name be made to Klickitat Valley Health Hospice.
Funeral services were held Nov. 2, at Columbia Hills Memorial Chapel in Goldendale, followed by a luncheon provided by the Goldendale Ladies Golf Club.
Graveside services and burial will be in LaJunta, Colo., Nov. 9.
