Date of Birth:
Wednesday, October 15, 1924
Date of Death:
Friday, October 7, 2011
Age:
86 years old

Robert Daniel Madden

Robert Daniel “Bob”Madden, 86, of Rochester, MN passed away on October 7, 2011 at Golden Living Center West where he had been a resident since January 2008.  Bob was born at St. Mary’s Hospital on October 15, 1924 to Leo D and Frances (Glover) Madden.

He graduated from Rochester High School in 1942 and attended Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis until returning to help in the operation of his family farm.  Bob took over the operation of the Silver Creek farm in 1948 when his father Leo D Madden was elected to the first of his 4 terms as Olmsted County Representative to the Minnesota State Legislative.

Bob was the devoted older brother of David Madden, who due to polio was confined to an iron lung in 1948 at St. Marys Hospital until his death in 1964. Bob with Dave started a TV rental business in the mid 1950’s thus bringing the first television rental business to St. Marys hospitalized patients.

Bob married Nancy Catherine Perry, an RN, on November 26, 1955 at the St. Marys Hospital Chapel so that his brother Dave could attend and serve as the best man.

Though Bob operated a Grade A dairy farm his real love was for flying and for his horses.   His appaloosa stallion sired over 60 registered off springs throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin.  He also had a Standard bred harness racing horse that raced in Minnesota and Illinois.

Bob continued farming with his son Jack (John Leo) until his stroke in 1994.  In 2001 Silver Creek Farm was honored as a Century Farm in MN for 137 years in continuous father to son operation for 5 generations.  Although incapacitated due to his stroke he loved to fish and spent time at the family cabin in Northern Wisconsin with his wife, his children and his grandchildren.

He was an active member of the Farm Bureau, Viola Gopher Count Assoc., Olmsted county DFL, he was one of the founders and Members of the Olmsted County Mounted Sheriff’s Posse, Wisota Appaloosa Horse Assoc. and the U.S. Trotting Horse Assoc.

Bob is survived by his wife Nancy of Rochester and their children Maureen (James) Schmidt of Marshfield, WI; Jack (Barbara) Madden of Eyota, MN; Benjamin (Gennett) Madden of Stewartville, MN ; and Daniel (Monika) of Dodge Center, MN.  Bob’s grandchildren are Lindsey, Katie, Audrey, Ian and Isaac Madden and Nolan and Lilly Schmidt and step-grandchildren Shane, Ava, and Anna.

The family wishes to express deep gratitude for the loving care Bob received during his illness to the Mayo Clinic and the staff of Golden Living Center West.

A Funeral Mass for Robert Madden will be 11:00AM Wednesday, October 12, 2011 in River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home officiated by Rev. Paul Nelson. Lunch will take place following mass, with burial later in Calvary Cemetery.  Friends may call one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.