David L Madson

David Lawrence Madson January 11, 1947 - November 27, 2023 David Lawrence Madson, Dave, to most, passed away in Wheat Ridge, Colorado at the age of 76 on November 27, 2023 from complications resulting from Covid. Dave was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the first child of Lawrence and Ruby Madson. He spent his early years growing up with his sister Cindy (DeLong) in the neighborhood of Custerdale in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, a WW II community for families of shipbuilders. The humidity and cold winters were a challenge for Dave’s asthma, so the young family moved to Arvada, Colorado for the drier climate. It was here, his youngest sister, Gini (Krattenmaker) was born. Dave was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a young boy but didn’t let it get the best of him. He spent many active hours fishing and riding bikes. Music gave Dave great pleasure; he loved and knew all the surfer bands - especially The Beach Boys. He would take his 45 (rpm) records down to the Ralston Recreation Center skating rink and spend hours with the “DJ” playing songs for the skaters over the loudspeakers. He was also a regular at Arvada Billiards - even had his own billiards cue. Dave became a driver during the muscle car era sporting a Chevelle Super Sport of which he was mighty proud. His cousins and uncle in Illinois trick-painted it for him one summer and he and his two sisters had the time of their lives driving it back to Colorado in the heat and humidity of Iowa and Nebraska blasting “The Best of Cream” on the 8-track the entire while! Officer Ed McCarthy was a big influence on Dave, as he was for so many young people in Arvada. He introduced Dave to the Arvada Optimist Club early on in Dave’s adulthood; Dave remained an active member for most of his adult years. Dave was always a hard worker. As a youngster, he delivered The Denver Post on his “paperboy special” bicycle - having the largest paper route in the city of Arvada. After high school graduation Dave joined the workforce, saving his money to buy a great little brick house in Arvada with a large yard which he kept beautifully manicured. Eventually, cerebral palsy got the best of Dave, and he had no choice but to take an early retirement, moving into an assisted living facility and finally a nursing home. Through it all, he remained a loyal Cheesehead, rooting for the Packers in good years and bad. He never forgot a birthday or anniversary - phoning folks as best he could right up until the end. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM December 7 at Arvada United Methodist Church (6750 Carr Street). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Community Table Food Bank, 8555 West 57 Avenue, Arvada, CO 80002; cotable.org, or Arvada United Methodist Church, or a charity of choice in David L Madson's name.