Lisa K. Madsen

Lisa K. Madsen

February 11, 1960 – May 12, 2021

 VISITATION: Friday, May 21^st from 6pm to 8pm, West Center Chapel.  MEMORIAL SERVICE: Saturday, May 22^nd at 11am at Rejoice! Lutheran Church, 2556 S. 138th St.

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Lisa K. Madsen of Omaha, Nebraska was born on February 11, 1960 in San Diego, California.  She passed on to a better place on May 12, 2021 and was greeted in Heaven by her 32-year-old daughter, Laura, who passed about 9 months previous.  Lisa left behind a husband, two adult sons, and a host of friends and relatives.  

Lisa was baptized in the Lutheran Church and as a young girl enjoyed the southern California climate, playing extensively in the family’s backyard.  She spoke of picking fruit there, her blowup swimming pool, and playing with the family dog Sparky.

Highlights of Lisa’s early years include summertime travels with the family to the east coast where her father pursued US Navy training, and to the Midwest where her father worked on his graduate studies.  This allowed Lisa many visits to her grandparents in Iowa and Nebraska as well as many visits with her dozens of cousins in many states.   

Lisa’s family moved to the Midwest where her dad was employed at a few colleges.  She made new friends in each of those moves especially with her pal, Lori, in North Platte, Nebraska.

In high school Lisa was active on basketball teams and in band, playing the flute.  After her graduation from high school in Blair, Nebraska, she attended Dana College.  Again she built  many close friendships there including roommates Ellen and Carol.  

Lisa majored in Elementary Education and was active in the college’s church congregation.  She also served as a Resident Assistant, and performed with the school’s folk dancing troupe , The Danish Dancers.  Lisa was passionate about being part of the Dana College Choir. 

Choir tours by bus across the Midwest and beyond were the source of enormous fun and bonding for the entire group.  After her spring of 1982 graduation from Dana, Lisa was part of the Dana College Choir group which toured European countries including Denmark.  This tour was also a great source of lifelong memories.

Lisa and Paul Madsen met at Dana College and were engaged in 1981 and married in July of 1982.  The Blair, NE wedding date has been documented as the hottest day ever for a wedding performed in a non-air conditioned church.  Their road trip honeymoon to Winnipeg, Canada and South Dakota’s Black Hills area was the start of their adventure together.   

They first lived in Grand Island, Nebraska and Mason City, Iowa where Paul was a Youth Minister.  Lisa substitute taught at several elementary schools during those years.  Following the couple’s move to Omaha, NE, she worked as an Administrative Assistant at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.  Baby Laura made a dramatic entrance in 1988.  When Lisa’s second child, Dane, arrived in 1992 she stayed home with the kids and substitute taught sporadically.   

Lisa loved being a mom.  She was most famous for collecting and reading to the kids ALL the children’s books ever printed.  In 2000, baby Jake joined the fray.  Lisa instilled a strong sense of location into him via their many drives around Omaha in the minivan.  

She returned to the workforce, full time, as an Administrative Assistant at University of Nebraska Medical Center, holding positions in four different university departments.  She also worked in similar roles in two departments at Creighton University. She loved working in college settings, adding humor and group culture to all her units.  

In 2017 Lisa fell at home and broke her femur.  Her recovery from that never saw her advance out of the wheelchair.  She succumbed to 55 years of juvenile diabetes and immobility issues after months of recent hospital and rehab facility stays. Lisa transferred to the Hospice House in May.  During her days there Lisa saw several special visitors.  That setting was a true blessing for all.   

She loved participation in the Rejoice! Lutheran Church handbell program and the church’s choir.  The choir’s rapport and inspirational anthems and concerts were highlights in her life.  She also helped create humor and hijinks within that group over the years.  

Lisa is survived by her parents, Verlan and Helga Hanson; her husband of 40 years, Paul Madsen; her sons, Dane and Jake Madsen; brothers, Alan Hanson and wife Mary Henriksen, Duane Hanson (Shirley); brother-in-law, Phil Madsen (Diane); sister-in-law, Barb (Madsen) Kreye (Dave); nieces and nephews: Maren, Kirstie, Jeremy, Ally, Jon and their spouses. Lisa was preceded in death by her daughter, Laura; father-in-law, Lester Madsen and his wife, Elaine Madsen; mother-in-law, Coral (Barnish) Madsen.   

 Memorial opportunities:

 https://www.gofundme.com/f/lisa-madsen-memorial-fund

or funds may be directed directly to the family for distribution.