Oscar E. Madsen

Oscar E. Madsen was born on December 20, 1904 in Portland, OR. to John & Valborg Larson Madsen. He died at a St. Helens Care center on February 21, 2004 at the age of 99. At age 11 he moved from Portland to a St. Helens stump ranch in 1915 with his parents and 3 older siblings. In 1923 he graduated from St. Helens Hi School, he attended OSU in pursuit of an Agriculture degree. He completed college in 1930 after 7 years of working 1 year and attending school the next. After graduating from college he went to work for NW Natural Gas in Portland but with the depression the employment didn't last long. On August 23, 1943 he married Kathleen Wilson in Vancouver, WA., she preceded him in death in 1988. On April 23, 1943 he enlisted in the US Navy and was assigned to the Construction Battalion CB's, he was honorably discharged on April 27, 1945. After completing a 2 year enlistment he returned to St. Helens where he was hired to work at the old Firtex mill. After approximately 10 years he joined the Millwright Union and worked varoius jobs throughout the state of Oregon. On September 14, 1959 while woring as a Millwright in Eugene he was involved in a career ending industrial accident, after several month of recover y & rehabilitation he was back living at home in St. Helens. In 1989 he met Sandi Edwards and begins a friendship that both he and she will cherish for the remainder of his life. He becomes an adopted member of the Edwards family and is a party to all family gatherings and functions. In 2002 moved from his home of 50 years to the Avemere Assisted Living, which was built on the property previously owned by Oscar. He remained at Avamere until his death. Survivors include: Nephew: Gordon Madsen; Nieces: Jean Whittall, Evelyn Lieper, Betty Lou Hamilton, Janice Baldwin, Lee Jackson; Sister-in-law: Delores Madsen and a special friend: Sandi Edwards. Viewing & Visitation: 9-5 Friday, 9-12 Saturday Funeral Service: Saturday, 2/28/04 at 2:00 PM at Columbia Funeral Home-St. Helens Committal service & interment: Columbia Memorial Gardens Cemetery-Scappoose, OR. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Society. Columbia Funeral Home-Directors

Oscar E. Madsen

December 20, 1904 - February 21, 2004