Clara Madsen

Clara Olivia Madsen entered into glory this past resurrection weekend. She left us the day after her beloved husband’s day of birth and the day before her King’s resurrection. This was fitting as both were her life’s true loves. We can only imagine the joy inexpressible she had seeing them both face to face. Clara was a gorgeous woman with a smile that lit up a room. She was a powerhouse of strength, wisdom, and discernment. She seemed to always have the right word, in the right moment. Thoughtful, dedicated, compassionate, and caring, she had a wealth of love for her family that was inexhaustible. This love extended to all with open arms. Though humble and shy, Clara had a playful streak and a sense of humor that surprised. She taught her grandchildren to dance and box like Muhammad Ali (her hero!). At the dinner table she taught them to chant “¡COMIDA!”, which means, “FEED ME NOW!” Even in the final year of her dementia, her sharp wit would show up in unexpected moments. Never one to skip the opportunity for a cup of vanilla bean ice cream, cheese and onion enchiladas, or a glass of red wine, she enjoyed all the best things in life with those she loved. Clara and her beloved husband of fifty-six years, Ron, a decorated Vietnam war veteran, shared a love of reading, sailing, backpacking, traveling, and flying. And no wonder, as before she married him, she had prayed to meet a man who was a cowboy, pilot, and adventurer. Along with these adventures they shared a faith that they leave as a legacy for those after them. Clara’s faith in Jesus defined her relationships, her generosity, and ultimately her legacy. The quiet, unseen time she spent experiencing the sacred and holy was reflected in her outward life. She devoted her days to knowing and experiencing the love of God through worship in prayer, scripture reading, song, and silence. Clara is survived by three of her four children, Kimberly, Karen, and Eric, as well as her nine grandchildren - Andrea, Jessica, Alyse, Alexis, Tihisha, Steven, Kayla, Emma, and Paige and eleven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ron, and her first-born, John.