Shirley (Mathews) Madden

Shirley (Mathews) Madden, age 101, died on Wednesday, June 18, at Sunrise Terrace in Winfield.  She was born on February 14,1924 in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.  Shirley was one of five sisters born to Perry and Luela Mathew. She attended Iowa Wesleyan University.  On September 13, 1943, Shirley married Robert (Bud) Madden. She was a wartime bride and followed Bud to Atlantic City and New York City where his ship was stationed at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

They were married for 70 years.  Shirley and Bud lived and farmed in rural Crawfordsville.  In addition to raising three children, Shirley helped Bud with farm chores, gardened and spent time reading, crocheting, sewing, knitting, baking and making the best fried chicken in the world. She and Bud were actively engaged in their school and community, including hosting a foreign exchange student and serving as 4-H leaders.

She was a member of the United Church of Christ in Olds, Iowa, where she taught Sunday School and was active in various committees. Shirley loved making lap robes for hospitalized children and continued quilting into her 90’s. She has created over one hundred baby quilts and donated them to the University of Iowa Children's Hospital.  

She was a member of the Olds American Auxiliary for over 50 years, helping at the Olds American Legion Post pancake tent at Old Threshers and organizing many picnics, dinners and ice-cream socials during the years.  Shirley and Bud loved traveling and always took a family vacation during the summer. In later years, they enjoyed land and water cruises, visiting over forty countries on five continents.  

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.  Shirley had the most positive attitude and loved planning her 100th birthday! She was preceded in death by her husband, Bud Madden in 2014, her oldest daughter, Sandra Koehler, in 2024 and three sisters.  She is survived by her son, Ken (Patty) Madden of rural Crawfordsville, her daughter, Kathy (Rod) Roth of rural Wayland, her sister Charlotte McClure of Kansas City, her seven grandchildren, Melanie (Charlie II)  Crumpler of Dunn, N.C., Cary (Nancy) Roth of rural Wayland, Chad (Mada) Grieser of Dunn, North Carolina, Clint (Katie) Roth of rural Wayland, Kevin (Ellen) Madden of Coralville, Sean Madden of Southern Pines, N.C., Elizabeth (Adam) McLaughlin of Iowa City and sixteen  great-grandchildren.  

Private family graveside services will be held later.  The Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral and Cremation Services of Winfield is caring for the family.  Online condolences may be left at www.sandhfuneralservice.com. 

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