Cecil M. Madsen

Cecil M. Madsen, 86, of Polson, MT, passed away on Thursday, January 28, 2010 at home. Cecil was born on October 25, 1923, a son of the late Emery and Cecelia Madsen and was raised in Bonner, MT. His parents were immigrants from Norway and Cecil was very proud of his Norwegian and Viking heritage. Cecil went on to join the US Army and dutifully served as an infantryman from 1942 ' 1945 during WWII. He was proud to have been with the brave during the Invasion of Normandy, which instilled in him a true sense of patriotism. After beginning his career at the Anaconda Co. in Bonner, he later took a position with Smurfit-Stone. After forty years of service, Cecil retired in 1993. In 1989, Cecil married Vickie Pettijohn and enjoyed their life together boating and entertaining family and friends at the cabin on Flathead Lake. Known for his 'gift of gab', Cecil always had a sense of humor that was both unique and sensitive. His nieces would often refer to him as the 'Honorable Uncle Cecil' and those around him would quite frequently be reminded that his middle initial, M., stood for 'Marvelous'. Cecil never met a stranger and made thousands of people smile throughout the years. He was a member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Polson, the Elks Club, and the Lions Club. Besides his parents, two sisters, Frieda and Marie, and a brother, Melvin, precede Cecil in death. Survivors include his loving wife, Vickie Madsen of Polson: three nieces, Donna Anderson (Lowell) of Helena, MT, Darlene Compton of Spokane, WA, and Diane Nelson (Darrel) of Peroia, AZ: a special close 2nd cousin, Ingrid Davis of Missoula, MT, and beloved family friend, Helen Sowre of Helena, MT. Visitation for friends and family will be held on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 from 5 PM ' 7 PM at Grogan Funeral Home, 101 Sixth Ave. E., Polson. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 4, 2010, 11:00 AM at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Polson with Rev. Paul Rowold officiating. Military honors and a light reception will follow the services at the church. Graveside services will then be conducted at Missoula Cemetery, Missoula at 3:00 PM on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, the Cecil's family has suggested that donations be made to either the Mission Valley Animal Shelter (www.missionvalleyanimalshelter.org) or to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Polson. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff at Grogan Funeral Home, Polson considers it a privilege to care for Mr. Madsen's family.
Read Cecil Madsen's Obituary and Guestbook.