Garda Madsen 02/27/2025

Garda Madsen, age 93 of River Falls, WI, died on Thursday, February 27, 2025 at the River Falls Area Hospital.  Garda was born the daughter of Herbert and Erma (Baker) Traynor on March 31, 1931 in the town of El Paso, Pierce County, Wisconsin.  Garda grew up there, and a attended Spring Valley High School, graduating with the class of 1949.  She started college in River Falls that fall where she earned her teaching degree.  Garda’s first teaching job was the country school at Gilman Center.  In 1957, she met her future husband Howard Madsen at the Prom Ballroom.  They were married on June 7, 1958 at the Ono United Methodist Church.  The new couple lived in an apartment in River Falls while their house was being built on the farm.  After a few years of teaching, Garda stayed home to raise their 2 children.  In 1973, she began working in the lunch room at Greenwood Elementary where she spent the next 25 years retiring in 1998.  Garda loved her flower gardens and plants.  She was quiet, unassuming woman who was always well organized, sincere and honest.  She is preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Erma Traynor; siblings, Patrick (Joan) Traynor and Patricia (Donn) Anderson.  Garda is survived by her husband, Howard Madsen; children, Kathy Madsen and Randy (Michelle) Madsen; grandchildren, Joseph Madsen, Abby Madsen; brother, Dean Traynor; and many other relatives and friends.  A Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 11 am at Cross Lutheran Church 1246 County Rd TT, Roberts, WI.  Visitation was on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 from 4-7 pm at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services 805 E Division Street River Falls, WI and on Wednesday from 10-11 am at the church.  Interment was in Greenwood Cemetery in River Falls, WI.  Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.

Click here to watch a recording of Garda’s service.