John Francis Madden, 90, passed away peacefully on July 19, 2020 at his home in Westminster, Colorado surrounded by family. He was born on December 19, 1929 to Thomas and Josephine Madden of New Richmond, Wisconsin where he was raised with his brother Tom. John was preceded in death by his parents, brother, children Mary and David (each passed away in infancy) and daughter Jo Marie Turner (Kevin). He is survived by Dolores, his wife of nearly 70 years, son John (Theresa), daughters Patty (John), Sue (Allen), Donna (Steve), Sandy, grandsons Jesse (Pat) and Jackson, as well as many nieces, nephews and in-laws.
In 1950, after attending his cousin’s wedding in Minneapolis, John decided to stop at a ballroom where he met Dolores. After a courtship that included more dances, watching him perform with his college singing group and many meatloaf sandwiches, they married on February 3, 1951 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Minneapolis. A few months later, John reported for military duty. He served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War, stationed at Ft. McClellan, Alabama. Dolores joined him there later that year and in May of 1952 their first child was born. Upon discharge in 1953, they moved back to Minnesota where their family expanded. In 1962, they moved the family to El Paso, Texas where John began his 30-year career as an accountant at Chevron Oil Company. Later that same year, they packed up and moved to Colorado when John was transferred to Denver. Early in the marriage, John always worked a second job to better provide for his growing family. Yet he somehow made time to earn his Accounting Degree at the University of Colorado and still managed to take family road trips back to the Midwest or cross country adventures each summer. In 1978, they were transferred to northern California (by then Dolores also worked for Chevron), where they lived until retirement in 1992 and decided to move back to Colorado.
During his life, John enjoyed playing golf, cards with friends (mainly bridge and canasta), league bowling, solving crossword and jigsaw puzzles and travelling—whether road trips to visit family, multiple cruise vacations or international travel—they enjoyed a wide variety of destinations. Most of all, he loved to dance--specially to the music of the big band era (the Glenn Miller Orchestra was a particular favorite). Everywhere they lived, they found a place to dance. The Trocadero Ballroom at Elitch Gardens in the ‘60s and ‘70s, the Coconut Grove at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk in the ‘80s and as members of the Tanzers Dance Club in retirement. Dancing always makes everything better.
John was a loving husband, proud father and grandfather. A lifelong Catholic, he was man of faith and a member of Spirit of Christ Catholic Church. He had a strong work ethic and was a kind friend. He will be greatly missed. Due to Covid-19, a private funeral will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at Spirit of Christ Catholic Church followed by burial at Ft. Logan National Cemetery. Donations can be made to the American Lung Association at http://action.lung.org/goto/JohnMadden
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