May 18, 2011

Elaine Madison

Funeral services for Elaine Madison, 82, of Sidney, Mont., were held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 17, 2011, at the Pella Lutheran Church, with Pastor Nell Lindorff from the Grace Lutheran Church in Savage, Mont., officiating. Music was provided by Jill Tescher, Sharon Whited, Doris Norby, and Arveda Fischer. Casketbearers were Michael and Dulce Averett, Sara and Coy Martin, Jim and Kari Averett, Trisha and Donnie Feiring, Ryan and Lacey Madison, Darcy and Brian Delaney. Honorary Casketbearers were all of Elaine’s many friends, neighbors, and staff of the SHS Extended Care Facility. Ushers were Rusty Folkvord, Bill Madison, and Ron Whited. Interment took place in the Sunnyside Cemetery, Squaw Gap, N.D. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.fulkersons.com.
Elaine Brunsvold Madison was born Sept. 14, 1928, in Beach, N.D., to parents, Milton and Gladys (Walker) Brunsvold. Elaine was raised with one sister, Marlene, and one brother, Dean, in the Skaar community. She attended one room country schools in Earl District #18 through the eighth grade. She attended high school in Beach, and graduated from Sidney High School in 1946. She married Charles T. “Tim” Madison on July 14, 1946, at Grace Lutheran Church, Skaar, N.D. Tim and Elaine made their life together as he worked on ranches in the Squaw Gap and Hay Draw areas of McKenzie County, N.D. They raised one son and two daughters. They purchased the Milton Brunsvold ranch in early 1978 and lived there until June of 1994. Tim suffered a stroke in 1978, and in 1980, Elaine was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. They moved to Crestwood Inn in Sidney, Mont., in 1994, and made their home there until Tim moved into Sidney Health Center Extended Care in 2000. In April of 2001, Elaine also moved into Extended Care. Tim died on Feb. 3, 2002.
Elaine was a member of Grace Lutheran Church of Skaar, where she was organist for over 40 years. She was a member of Grace WELCA, and has held many offices in that organization. She also taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School at Grace Lutheran.
Elaine was a gifted seamstress, cross-stitcher, and decorative painter. Her home and the homes of her family and friends are decorated with the beautiful works of her hands: pictures, paintings, Christmas ornaments, and other items. She sewed many articles of clothing for her family, including wedding dresses for both of her daughters.
Her room at Extended Care was a haven for all who stopped to see her. She always had music playing, kind words, and a smile for her visitors. Even though MS kept progressing, her faith remained strong and she was an inspiration to all who knew her. She truly lived by the motto “Bloom where you are planted.”
Elaine died on Friday, May 13, 2011, at the Sidney Health Center Extended Care Facility.
Elaine is survived by: her son, Milton (Clarice) Madison, of Alexander, N.D.; her daughter, Vicki (Gary) Ley, of Fargo, N.D., and Shelly (Lance) Averett, of Sidney, Mont.; six grandchildren: Trisha (Donnie) Feiring of Beach, Michael (Dulce) Averett of Weston, Fla., Ryan (Lacey) Madison of Alexander, Sara (Coy) Martin of Billings, Mont., Jim (Kari) Averett of Moorhead, Minn., Darcy (Brian) Delaney of Alexander; 12 great-children, Michael, Italia, and Alejandra Averett; Mazie and Tucker Madison; William and Wyatt Martin; Paige Delaney; Harley Jo and Taylor Feiring; and Ella and Anna Averett; one sister, Marlene (Gerald) Roth, Portland, Ore.; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Elaine was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother, and a nephew.
 

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