George Madsen

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - George Madsen, 77, passed away peacefully on November 4, 2016 in Fort Lauderdale, FL at Broward General Hospital with his son, Benjamin, by his side. George was born in Racine, WI on November 22, 1938 to Rudolf and Margarette (Pederson) Madsen, also of Racine. He attended Park High School. He was married to Karen (Vierk) Madsen from 1960 -1986. They had three children, Cynthia, Cathy and Benjamin. George always exhibited a strong work ethic, which led to a successful career in the construction industry. In 1957, George went to work for his father’s business, Madsen Construction Company. One of his major professional accomplishments came in 1963, when he became the first person to operate what was, at the time, the world’s largest hydraulic backhoe. George continued to progress within the company eventually becoming president in 1971. He retired and moved to Fort Lauderdale in 1994 but he kept busy with consultant work right up until his passing. An avid golfer and devoted fan of the sport, one of his most treasured memories was meeting Arnold Palmer, while golfing with his son, Ben and close friends, John Feiner and Billy Moskonas at Palmer’s Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, FL. George was a member of the Meadowbrook Country Club in Racine and the Oak Tree Country Club in Oakland Park, Florida, respectively. He also loved to play Johnson Park Golf Course in Racine and he still, to this day, holds the course record score of 63. George was a founding board member of the Wisconsin Junior Masters Championship and continued to play an active role in the organization for many years. His skill along with a strong passion and dedication for the game earned George high praise and recognition within the state of Wisconsin and in 2008 he was inducted into the Racine Golf Hall of Fame. George also enjoyed watching his favorite football team, the Green Bay Packers. He attended many Packers games while he lived in Wisconsin but notably was able to watch them play live in the first ever Super Bowl, then known as the AFL-NFL World Championship game. He was also in the stands for the legendary 1967 Ice Bowl, where temperatures dropped down to a grueling -15 degrees F with a wind chill of -48. It was a treat to hear George reminisce on this game, which is now considered one of the greatest games in NFL history. George was a friend to many and will long be remembered for his sharp wit and magnetic charm. Always one to share a nostalgic story or croon an old world drinking song, he regularly delighted those around him with his lively personality. George Madsen is preceded in death by his parents, Rudolf and Margarette Madsen and daughter, Cynthia Madsen. He is survived by daughter, Cathy Mattie, son Benjamin (Shantae) Madsen and grandchildren Stephanie (Rob) Waterfield, Kerri (Matt) Miller and Nicolas Junge; Brothers, Walter Madsen, Carl (Eileen) Madsen, Bob (Julie) Madsen, Bill (Mary) Madsen and Jim (Mary) Madsen; Sisters, Ellen Rassmusen, Karen (Bill) Damrow and Julie Madsen. He will also be dearly missed by many nieces, nephews and friends. George’s family will honor him with a celebration of his life to be held at Johnson Park Golf Course in the spring of 2017. Planning is in progress and full details will be announced in the Racine Journal Times in April 2017. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Wisconsin Junior Masters Championship.