Garda Madsen, age 93 of River Falls, Wis., died on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 at the River Falls Area Hospital. Garda was born the daughter of Herbert and Erma (Baker) Traynor on March 31, 1931 in the town of El Paso, Pierce County, Wis. Garda grew up there, and attended Spring Valley High School, graduating with the class of 1949. She started college in River Falls that fall where she earned her teaching degree. Garda’s first teaching job was the country school at Gilman Center. In 1957, she met her future husband Howard Madsen at the Prom Ballroom. They were married on June 7, 1958 at the Ono United Methodist Church. The new couple lived in an apartment in River Falls while their house was being built on the farm. After a few years of teaching, Garda stayed home to raise their two children. In 1973, she began working in the lunchroom at Greenwood Elementary where she spent the next 25 years, retiring in 1998. Garda loved her flower gardens and plants. She was a quiet, unassuming woman who was always well organized, sincere and honest.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Erma Traynor; siblings, Patrick (Joan) Traynor and Patricia (Donn) Anderson. Garda is survived by her husband, Howard Madsen; children, Kathy Madsen and Randy (Michelle) Madsen; grandchildren, Joseph Madsen, Abby Madsen; brother, Dean Traynor; and many other relatives and friends. A Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at Cross Lutheran Church (1246 County Rd TT, Roberts, WI.) Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services (805 E. Division St., River Falls, WI) and on Wednesday from 10-11 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery in River Falls.
Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
