Howard Richard Madsen

Howard Richard Madsen, 91, of Grayling, passed away on December 14, 2018. Howard was born March 5, 1927 in Grayling, Michigan to the late Stanley and Bernice Madsen. He never resided anywhere but Grayling with the exception of wintering in Florida in a few of his senior years. Howard was an only child and grew up with a deep love and appreciation to have children of his own. He married Betty Underwood in the summer of 1944 and became the proud father of eight (8) children within twelve years. He is preceded in death by his wife Betty and 2nd wife Waneta Walker. Howard is survived by seven of his eight children after losing his first born daughter Sherrie Cole in 2011. Surviving children are Sharron Gabriel (Gerald), Shirley Hayes (Pat), Howard S. Madsen (Ann), Jerry Madsen (Jackie), Susan Nave (Charles), Robert Madsen (late Kathryn), and Sandra Moore (Geno). In addition to Howards 8 children he had thirty one (31) grandchildren and twenty three (23) great-grandchildren from Michigan, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Washington. Howard worked the family wood business and built homes from the age of 14. He would cut timber and run his own sawmill to produce lumber for approximately 100 homes in Crawford County while employing many residents from within the community. He was a proficient sawyer with the ability to maintain all equipment, as well as being a diesel mechanic and the ability to run any and all heavy equipment while maintaining his fleet of vehicles. Howard purchased State Timber Permits and was a longtime hauler into Weyerhaeuser Corporation. He worked full time until his retirement at age 75. Howard was the first groomer for the snowmobile trails in Crawford County, earning State of Michigan recognition as our county trails were of pristine condition. Everything he did was done to perfection. Howard loved life and lived it to the fullest. He was a real charmer, a man of his word, and always humble & kind to everyone. Howards heart was Brave, his mind was Fierce and his spirit was Free. He had 3 very special women in his life: Karen Golnick, Clara Gibbs and Lori Stoko. "A Celebration of Life" will be held in late spring to allow the numerous family members to come together. Howard's cremains will be placed at Elmwood cemetery with the family plot after the celebration. Arrangements were entrusted to Sorenson-Lockwood Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Howard Richard Madsen, please visit our flower store.