Dale F. Madson

Dale Francis “Moose” Madson, 89, passed away peacefully on September 15 from Lewy Body dementia at Lake Hallie Memory Care.

Dale was born in Eau Claire, WI on June 2, 1935, to Francis and Ruth Madson. After graduating from Eau Claire High School in 1954, he served in the US Army and was honorably discharged in 1959. He worked for the City of Eau Claire Parks Department as an Arborist from 1960 until his retirement in 1990.

Dale married Margaret Glenz on April 29, 1961, at Our Redeemer church in Eau Claire. They lived on the north side of Eau Claire from 1962 until moving to Elk Mound in 1990. Moose especially enjoyed his time in Elk Mound living in the woods on his 10 acres of land. They returned to Eau Claire in 2016. Dale and Margaret also spent 20 winters in Cedar Key Florida enjoying warm temperatures during the cold Wisconsin winters.

Moose enjoyed many activities. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. His hunting trips included Iowa and South Dakota for pheasant with his sons and good friends. He also made trips to Saskatchewan with friends for upland birds, ducks and geese. Moose spent hours on Wisconsin waters pursuing walleye and panfish as well as numerous trips to Lake Michigan for salmon and steelhead.

Moose was an extremely accomplished fastpitch softball player in Eau Claire, pitching and playing first base. He was the Most Valuable Player in the 1961 Wisconsin State Tournament where his team finished second and was inducted into the Wisconsin Softball Hall of Fame in 2019. In addition to softball, Moose coached numerous hockey teams. Along with his brother Porky, he was Eau Claire North’s first varsity hockey coach.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Madson and Ruth Madson Jurjens and brothers Ronald and Darryl “Porky” Madson. He is survived by his wife Margaret and their three children: Mark (Shelly) of Cottage Grove MN, Andy (Melissa) and Eric Madson, both of Eau Claire, 7 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial designations may be made to the Eau Claire Humane Society or Eau Claire Youth Hockey.

There will be a private graveside service for family members only. A Celebration of Life will be held at the VFW, 1300 Starr Ave, Eau Claire WI on Sunday September 29 from 12:00-5:00 pm.

Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com.

Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements.  

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