Bessie Elizabeth Madsen

 Bessie (Bess) Elizabeth Madsen, daughter of Earl A. Ashcraft and Gladys P. Cooper Ashcraft was born April 27, 1932 in Modale, Iowa. Her childhood years were spent in Modale, Salix, and Sioux, City, Iowa. She received her education in Sioux City. Bess married Robert W. Madsen August 15, 1950 in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sioux City, IA. They lived in Sioux City and Vermillion, SD before moving to Spencer in 1951. Since that time this community has been home for Bess and Bob and is where they raised their family. Bob passed away on November 10, 2010. They were married for 60 years.

 Bess was a longtime member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Spencer, IA where she was a member of the BLCW and Miriam Circle and was involved in other parish programs. She also served on the Board of Directors for St. Luke’s Home. She loved serving the church and its people. Over her early years, she helped love 13 different foster children while raising her own. In her latter years, Bess freely assisted anyone she could. Besides her love of people, Bess enjoyed bowling, golfing, traveling, reading, and bird watching and had a gifted hand to arrange flowers. Bess passed away on October 19, 2024, at the age of 92. 

 She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; her mother; her father; her stepmother; granddaughter, Kristy Madsen; sister, Lillian May Ashcraft Sletvold; sister-in-law, Judy Ashcraft; and great-granddaughter, Eloise Joy Burow. 

 She is survived by one daughter, Deborah E Burow of Spencer; former son-in-law, Greg Burow of North Cape May, NJ; two sons and their wives, David W Madsen and wife, Shirley of Pleasant Hill, CA; Dr. Daniel K Madsen and wife, Roxann of Chillicothe, OH and one “son” Shane Umbrell and wife, Heidi of Chandler, AZ. Bess has ten grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren surviving. Also surviving her a half-brother, Glenn Ashcraft of Sioux City, IA and niece, Kelly Anbach and husband, Bob of Leland, FL, and many other relatives and friends. 

 Bess left a legacy of love and forgiveness surpassed by none. Besides her savior, Jesus Christ, her family was her greatest treasure, and she made that abundantly clear. With a smile that could light up a room and a gentle and kind heart, she will be sorely missed! Well done, Bessie E Madsen, you finished the race!!