Gary Lynn Madson

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Gary Lynn Madson, 78, Long Lake, Minn., who was overcome in his battle with ALS, June 9, 2025. A memorial service for Gary will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, July 29, at Emmons Lutheran Church, Emmons, Minn., with Mr. Kermit Singelstad officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. The service will be streamed on the Emmons Lutheran Church Facebook page.Inurnment will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery, rural Emmons. A luncheon will follow in the large social hall at Emmons Lutheran Church and all are welcome. Schott Funeral Homes-Mittelstadt Chapel, Lake Mills, is assisting the Madson family with local arrangements.
As a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather he was welcomed home by his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His love, kindness and remarkable spirit touched the lives of all who knew him.
Gary Lynn Madson was born April 27, 1947 at Albert Lea, Minn., to Clarence and Eva Madson. The youngest of five boys, Gary enjoyed hunting with his brothers, and fishing and golfing with family and friends. He enjoyed cooking with and for his family, a wide variety of music, spending time up north and wildlife, always aware of wildlife, no matter where they lived.
Gary, a native of Emmons, Minn., graduated from Emmons High School and Mankato State University with degrees in Biology, Chemistry and Business.
He married his high school sweetheart, Kathy Monson, in 1968 and they were blessed by the nearly 57 years of love and happiness they shared.
While his intention was to pursue a career in conservation, he joined Wilson Foods Corporation at Albert Lea in 1973 and began his life-long career as a salesman. Gary’s honest and sincere approach to getting the job done right was through detailed attention to customer service. He soon moved on to sales positions in North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma City and Dallas, Texas, before returning to Minnesota to handle Regional Sales for the Deli Division. This was after selling everything the company produced including retail and deli products, including responsibilities in National Account Sales.
Gary loved the Lord, his wife and family, and always made sure a church was found wherever they moved to. He served as an elder in several churches and along with his wife, Kate, always participated in Bible study.
Gary is survived by his wife Kathy “Kate”; three children; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren; a son, Christopher, his three children, David, Jon, and Kellie and her children (Ava and Austin); a son, James (wife, Tammy), and their daughter, Emma; and a daughter, Melissa, and her two children, Justus (wife, Anna) with their daughter, Jeanie, and daughter, Journey. He is also survived by brother, Charles (Judy) Madson; sister-in-law, Henrietta Madson; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by brothers, Howard, and his wife, Carol, Duane, Robert and his wife, Dorothy, and parents, Clarence and Eva Madson.