Carl Roland Madsen

Carl R. Madsen, age 88, of Brookings, SD, passed away surrounded by his family January 4, 2026 at United Living Community in Brookings, SD.

A private family burial took place on Tuesday, January 6th, 2026, at Hillside Cemetery, Volga, SD.

A Celebration of Life will take place Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Lake Campbell Lutheran Church, 46610 219th Street, Volga, SD. Family and friends are invited to enjoy some of Carl’s favorite Danish treats at the celebration.

Carl was born on December 16, 1937, in Racine, WI to Rudolph and Margaret (Pedersen) Madsen. He was the 4th of 9 children. He spent time enjoying the outdoors, gardening, cooking, and collecting eggs as a child. These were some of his first jobs which influenced a lifelong mission of serving others. He graduated high school in Racine, WI in 1956. He was later inducted into the Washington Park High School Hall of Fame.

He served in the United States Army, from 1957 to 1959. After completing basic training, he was stationed in Lebanon and Germany.

While he was in college, he met the love of his life, and married Aileen on July 22, 1961, at the St. John’s Lutheran Church in his hometown of Racine, WI. The couple went on the have 3 children; Daniel, Kristine, and Kathryn.

He attended the University of Wisconsin-Platteville for one year, then attended the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Biology. He then attended Michigan State University where he earned a Master's Degree in Waterfowl Management. He made lifelong friends during his college years.

Carl worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a Wildlife Biologist for 35+ years. During his career, he received many awards and recognitions from many organizations. Some of the organizations include: The Wildlife Society, Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, SD Wildlife Federation, Lake Christina Gun Club, and The Lake Campbell Improvement Association. Carl retired from his career in 2003.

Carl received dozens of professional awards throughout his career, including the Distinguished Service Award, which is the highest honor from the Department of the Interior.

After retirement, Carl was not one to sit idle and started his retirement hobby, Madsen Gardens, near Brookings, SD. He built a greenhouse business, a tree service, a 10 acre produce garden, and wildlife plots on his property over his retirement years. Family and friends were always welcome to work in the garden where weeds were free as well as his produce. He was instrumental in developing the Brookings Farmer’s Market, connecting volunteer groups to work in the garden, was generous with his produce, and donated much of his crops to Feeding Brookings.

He was proud of his Danish Heritage and shared his traditions with 4 generations in his family. He loved to cook for the holidays, taught the grandchildren and great grandchildren how to drive tractors and farm machinery, helped organize the annual Lake Campbell 4th of July Parade, created an annual Pumpkin Festival, taught his family an appreciation for hunting, fishing, bird watching, gardening, a love for serving others, and a love for nature.

Carl is survived by his wife Aileen, son, Daniel Madsen, daughters, Kristine Madsen, Kathryn (Scott) Larson, grandchildren, Justin (Missy) Larson, Megan (Anthony) Larson, Jeffrey (Morgan) Madsen, Luke (Jackie) Schultz, Thomas (Kaisha) Madsen, John (Deana) Schultz, Maggie (Austin) Chase, great-grandchildren, Warren, Libby, Miranda, Jackson, Gage, Mason, Everly, Silas, Aydan, Meadow, Asher, Rowan, and Daisy. Carl’s siblings, Julie Madsen, Robert (Julie) Madsen, William (Mary) Madsen, James (Mary) Madsen, Karen (William) Madsen-Damrow.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Walter, George, and Ellen.

Arrangements were with Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel of Arlington, SD. To view the full online version, go to: www.crawfordosthus.com.

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