MADSEN, ERLING

Erling Madsen, passed away, Sunday, March 2, 2008, at his home in Enterprise, Alabama, surrounded by his loved ones.

The memorial service will take place at Providence Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 5, 2008, at 11 a.m.

Erling was born February 14, 1915 in Duluth, Minnesota to Hans and Katherine Madsen, immigrants from Denmark. He spent his childhood in Duluth, and later settled in San Antonio, Texas before joining the United States Army. Erling’s career spanned 54 years, during which he served in the Army, the Marines, and the U.S. Defense Mapping Agency. He fought in World War II as a member of Carlson’s Raiders and traveled around the world. He worked for several years surveying and mapping the terrain of the Middle East. Erling retired from the Defense Mapping Agency in 1974, and spent over twenty years living in Laurel Hill, Florida. There, he and his wife Vara Lee were the owners of Madsen Crafters, a ceramics shop. Erling’s hobbies included gardening, beekeeping, winemaking, carpentry, sculpting, and woodcarving. He also had a deep affection for animals, especially dogs and horses, and a love of music.

Erling was married for 49 years to Vara Lee McClure who passed away in November 2003.

Survivors include his sons, Richard and Owen, and his daughter and son-in-law, Margaret and Bill Tyner. Erling is the grandfather of Melanie Szucs, Ashley Tyner, and Katy Holmes, and he has three great-granddaughters, Lauren, Emily, and Maren Szucs.

William Searcy at Providence Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.