Leta Madsen

Leta Marie, daughter of Carl and Elise (Jacobsen) Johansen, was born on October 5, 1927. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church and later became a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kimballton. Leta attended Kimballton Public School through the 10th grade and graduated from Audubon High School with the Class of 1945.

On November 17, 1947, Leta was united in marriage with Eiwind Johannes Steen Madsen in Hiawatha, Kansas. To this union three sons and two daughters were born. The family made their home in Kimballton until moving to an acreage in Elk Horn in 1964.

Leta was active in the Women’s Circle at Immanuel Lutheran Church and with the PTA at Kimballton Public School. She enjoyed reading, gardening, organizing family gatherings, and taking scenic trips throughout the United States. She and Eiwind also enjoyed playing cards and had a close-knit group of friends with whom they played regularly.

For many years, Leta served as bookkeeper for Madsen Trucking until April 1989 when the business closed. After moving to Elk Horn, she also worked at Salem Lutheran Home as an aide and later as a med-aide, where she cared deeply for the residents and her coworkers. She retired after 38 years of dedicated service.

In December 2023, Leta moved into Avoca Lodge Assisted Living. Following a hospitalization, she entered Salem Lutheran Home in January 2024. As her memory declined, she transferred to Country Grove Memory Care at Heritage House in Atlantic, in April 2025. It was there that Leta passed away on the morning of September 28, 2025, at the age of 97 years, 11 months, and 23 days.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Elise Johansen; her husband, Eiwind Madsen; her daughter, Carol Christensen; her son-in-law, Michael Laird; her granddaughter, Mindy Zahner; and brothers- and sisters-in-law, Michael Falcone, Clarence Harder, Russell Madsen, Alfred and Frances Madsen, Robert and Mabel Madsen, Annabelle Madsen, and Loretta Madsen.

Leta is lovingly remembered by her children and grandchildren: Wayne and Vivian Madsen and their children, Brad (Jenny) Madsen and Adam (Devon) Andersen; Linda Laird and her son, Patrick (Michaela) Laird; Brent and Jill Madsen and their children, Colby Madsen and Kelsi (Nick) Soe; Randy and Annette Madsen and their children, Jamie and Shaina Madsen; son-in-law Steven and Joni Christensen and their children, Mathew (Kristi) Christensen and Lisa (Greg) Chance; 13 great-grandchildren: Ethan and Erik Madsen, Cole and Karli Andersen, Brayden, Brock, and Bryce Zahner, Drew Soe, Hailey, Jerra, and Makayla Christensen, and Emerson and Liam Chance; her sisters, Dolores Harder and Ardyce Falcone, and her brothers-in-law, Earl Madsen and Lester D. Madsen; along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation with family will be held on Thursday, October 2, 2025, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kimballton, followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. A private family inurnment will take place in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Kimballton. Memorials may be made in Leta’s name to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kimballton, Salem Lutheran Homes in Elk Horn, or Heritage House Memory Care in Atlantic.