Lance Carlton Madsen

Lance Madsen 8/28/1948 4/5/2014

Lance Madsen passed away peacefully at his home in Eureka with his wife and son at his side on Saturday evening April 5, 2014.

Lance was was a fourth generation Eurekan, born on August 28, 1948 to William and Ann Madsen. Lance graduated from Eureka High School in 1966 and served in the Army from 1967 to 1969, including a year in Korea. He pursued higher education, earning a degree from College of the Redwoods and elective courses at Humbolt State and at several other California university campuses. Lance was a sworn police officer with the City of Eureka Police Department from 1973 to 1986. His duties ranged from traffic specialist to being one of the first Old Town foot patrolmen in the late 1970's. He finished his police career as a Detective assigned to investigate crimes against children and general sex crimes, and as a Field Training Officer.

After leaving the EPD Lance joined the Eureka Housing Authority, serving as that agency's Tenant Relations Officer/Community Liaison. He served the Housing Authority for 25 years before retiring due to health reasons. Throughout these years of professional service, Lance was deeply involved with the Eureka community in other capacities. He was twice elected and served two terms on the Eureka City Council in the 1990's. He was elected to a third term in 2010, but retired after three years due to his declining health.

Lance served on the Advisory Board of the Eureka Redevelopment Agency, and actively participated in the city waterfront revitalization project, the east-west rail project and the Landbridge Alliance. He was a member of the Eureka Morning Exchange and served a term as its president. He was charter member of the Eureka Concert and Film Center and served terms as president and vice-president. Lance actively supported the Boys and Girls Club of the Redwoods for over twenty years, including serving on the Board of Directors. Lance was a valued member of the Eureka Council of the Knights of Columbus, and was honored to be a Fourth Degree Knight.

Lance was diagnosed with a terminal lung condition in 2007. He pursued an aggressive treatment regime which led to a successful double lung transplant operation in September 2011. By the grace of God this truly provided Lance with a new lease on life. Unfortunately, in January of this year he was diagnosed with chronic rejection of his transplanted lungs. He had fought hard to stay with us, but he died in peace and in the presence of our Lord.

His wife Kathy and his family will be forever grateful for the excellent and loving care that he received from the staffs at the Stanford Medical Center and the Hospice of Humbolt.

Lance is survived by his wife Kathy, whom he married in 2005, and his son Dustin, from a prior marriage. Lance was extremely proud of his son's service in the Marine Corps. Lance is survived by his mother, Ann, his brother Bill (Sandy), his sisters, Jill (Art), Kim (Ron), and Gina (John). Lance's brother Mark died in 2009. Lance will be greatly missed by his immediate and extended family, and by his many good friends.

Viewing is scheduled for Thursday, April 10, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Pierce Mortuary, 707 H Street, Eureka. Rosary service will be held on Friday, April 11, at 11:00 AM in St. Bernard Church at 6th & H Streets, Eureka. A Funeral Mass will follow the Rosary at 11:30 AM in the church. Burial services will be conducted thereafter at the St. Bernard Catholic Cemetery, followed by a reception at the St. Bernard parish hall.

For those who wish to make a donation in lieu of flowers, please consider the Boys and Girls Club of the Redwoods and St. Bernard Parish.