Robert Madison

Robert Glen Madison, 83, of Thurman, IA entered into rest on October 11, 2024 at home surrounded by his family. Robert was born December 9,1940 to James and Augusta (Herron) Madison on the family homestead. Robert was raised on the farm near Thurman, Iowa with his brothers; Richard and Kenny, and his sister, Marjorie.
His youth was spent helping his parents on the farm. His love of nature and farm life was created at a young age. As a farm kid, the mornings were full of milking the cows and helping with chores before school. He enjoyed hunting with his older brothers and shared this passion with his own boys, teaching them to spot all kinds of wildlife with his eagle eyesight. The love of farming and raising cattle was passed on to his boys and the grandkids. He also had a soft spot for the strays that the grandkids would rescue. Chipper, being the most recent rescue, became Robert's companion around the farm and house.
Robert graduated from Thurman High School in 1959. In 1962, Robert joined the National Guard. He served with the Nebraska City, NE unit for six years as a cook. On September 12, 1963, Robert married the love of his life, Dana (Vanatta) Madison. In their 61 years of marriage the family grew. Together they raised four boys, Darrell, Roger, Rick, and Steve. Robert enjoyed vacations to Colorado with his family. He also loved traveling to see Rick and his family in the many places they lived while Rick served in the Air Force. As the family expanded, nothing brought a bigger smile than a family cookout aka " weenie roast". He loved to cook for everyone. Baked beans and pork burgers were some of the favorites. The grandkids loved Sunday cookouts, sleepovers that included ice cream cones before bed, and the usual eggs and toast for breakfast with grandpa. The occasional hosing down the grandkids with ice cold well water was necessary after a day outside playing in the mud, which brought a laugh and smile to Robert as he was the one doing the spraying! He also loved to play in the snow with them, pulling them on tubes behind the 4-wheeler. As the grandkids grew up, a cup of coffee with grandpa was their special thing. This is when you could hear him telling a joke to those sitting around the table with a big smile on his face.
Robert enjoyed working with the family, too. His boys helped him farm, raising many types of livestock (cows, pigs, chickens, horses, goats, and pheasants). Just a few weeks ago he enjoyed a day in the hay field picking up bales with Darrell and Steve and some of the grandkids. The lodge was a place to cook together as a family. During a typical weekend, you could find Robert and Dana making homemade rolls together, or Darrell and Roger grilling steaks while Robert was the fry master. Many customers enjoyed Robert's enthusiasm for socializing along with the food he helped prepare. He became known as pa or grandpa to many of the waiters/waitresses. All who came to the lodge stopped by the window to say hello to the one behind the fryer. Many memories were made working with his family.
Robert is survived by his wife, Dana; sons; Darrell, Roger (Gretchen); Steve (Sarah); grandkids; Tiffany (Eric) Johnson, Lynde Madison, Elizabeth (Blake) Webel, Kalyn Madison, Olivia Madison, Beatrice Madison, Shaylee Frost, Meaghan Madison, Jack Madison, Nicholas Madison, Lucas Madison, Emily Madison, and Wyatt Madison. Great-grandkids Hayden, Damien, Savannah, and Adeline. Along with many nieces, nephews and family friends. He was preceded in death by parents, James and Augusta Madison, Siblings and their spouses; Richard (Margaret) Madison, Kenny (Ethel) Madison, and Marjorie (Lee) Bebout; in-laws Darrell and Dorothy Vanatta, and son Ricky Madison.
Graveside services for the interment of ashes will be 2:00 PM Saturday, October 19, 2024 at the Tabor, IA Cemetery. There will be a Celebration Life to follow from 3:00 to 5:00 PM Saturday at the Skyline Sportsman's Club, 2556 150th Street, Thurman, IA. In lieu of flowers, memorials will go to the family. The Marshall Funeral Chapel in Tabor, IA is in charge of arrangements.