Robert (Bob) Harold Madison, age 81, of Saxeville, died at home on Sunday, February 12, 2017.
He was born on December 9, 1935 in the town of Poy Sippi, Wisconsin, the son of Harold and Isabel (Godson) Madison. Robert attended Poy Sippi grade school and graduated from Berlin High School in 1953. Following graduation, Bob enlisted in the air force. He and Karen J. Bishop were married on December 22, 1955. Following his discharge from the service, they moved to Blair, Nebraska where Bob attended Dana College. The family returned to Poy Sippi in 1959, and Bob joined the family business, working as an electrician. During those years, Bob was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was also active in community service: a member of the Poy Sippi Community Betterment, the Lions Club, and a volunteer in the Poy Sippi fire department and rescue squad. His wife, Karen, died on October 10, 1966. In 1967, Robert joined the computer industry as a field engineer representative, working in Milwaukee for General Electric Company. Robert and Sandra K. Stanley were married on April 27, 1968. In 1973, the family moved to the Saxeville farm in rural Waushara County, where Robert still lived at the time of his death. He continued in the computer industry, working for Telex Corporation, until 1979 when he turned to farming full time. During the 1980s, Robert was active in the Wisconsin Veal Association and served two terms on the Wild Rose school board. He continued his love for the land his whole life, although in later years he was more likely to hunt with a camera than with a gun. Bob spent many hours gathering, enjoying, and sharing “critter” pictures captured on his trail camera. He enjoyed preparing for the deer hunt as well as the camaraderie of family and friends who gathered at the farm during the hunt. He was especially pleased when other people enjoyed the farm; cruising in his UTV, he continually looked for ways to make the farm more inviting. Bob also developed an interest in family and local history, and he kept a massive pictorial record on his computer. He enjoyed watching television, playing computer games, collecting and making videotapes, being a snowbird, and playing the penny slots at local casinos. He liked to build and over the years extensively remodeled the 1895-vintage farmhouse that is the Madison homestead.
Robert Madison is survived by his wife Sandra; daughters, Nicole (Craig Stahl) Madison of St. Peter, Minnesota and Amy (Robin Bender) Madison of Waupaca, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Kari Madison, Devin Friday, and Isabella Friday; and great-granddaughters, BraeLynn Friday and Kendall Friday. He is further survived by his daughter-in-law, Pamela Madison, widow of Bradley, and her children Stuart, Pamela, and Michelle; his sister, Elaine (C. Milton) Brostrom; and other family and friends. Robert was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Bradley Madison and Edward Madison, and daughter, Tammy Madison.
A private memorial service is planned for a later date. The Holly Funeral Home of Wild Rose is assisting the family.