Living the good life

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LAMOILLE — Dean Madsen has given much to the village of LaMoille during his 50 years in the town, through both his profession and his volunteerism.

“I love the people here,” Madsen said. “It seems to be a good fit for me here in this community.”

Madsen said he enjoys the small town atmosphere of LaMoille, where he knows his neighbors will come shovel his driveway in the winter before he even wakes up in the morning.

“If something’s wrong, you’ve got 10 people to help you right away,” Madsen said. “The good Lord has blessed me with a good family, good community and a host of good friends.”

Growing up on an Iowa farm, Madsen played football, basketball, baseball and track during high school and was then a multi-sport athlete at Dana College in Blair, Neb., where he was named to the college’s Sports Hall of Fame.

However, in the middle of college, World War II began and Madsen served for three years in the U.S. Navy before returning to college to earn his degree in education.

Madsen began his teaching career in Nebraska, as a high school social studies teacher and coach. He then moved to LaMoille in 1956 to become superintendent and principal of LaMoille High School, retiring as superintendent in 1985.

While superintendent, Madsen was elected to the Illinois High School Association’s (IHSA) legislative commission and served as vice president for nine years. As vice president, he was responsible for leading the meetings, which took place in downtown Chicago.

“During that time, we started girls’ athletics and the class system of sports in Illinois,” Madsen said.

Madsen also served, and continues to serve, a bit closer to home. He is involved at the Zion Lutheran Church in Clarion, where he has been a Sunday school teacher and board member for many years.

He also serves as treasurer and secretary of American Legion Post 1043, is a Mendota Lutheran Home board member, and also serves as the treasurer and secretary of the LaMoille Lions Club. He served on the Bureau County Board for 12 years and also served as a volunteer firefighter throughout his life, retiring at age 65. He then served as secretary, and later, president of the LaMoille Firemen’s Association.

Madsen has received several recognitions for his service, including the Melvin Jones Fellow Award in 2005, which is the top service award given by Lions Club International.

Madsen said he’s proud of his service achievements, but he doesn’t want to be put on a pedestal for his efforts.

“I’m just a rural Iowa farm boy who loves rural America,” Madsen said. “I love the people here in LaMoille and they’ve put up with me for 50 years.”

When not busy volunteering, Madsen enjoys visiting with his four children, Mike, Kathy, Janet, and Gail, as well as his 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He is a self-described “sports nut,” with his favorite teams being the Chicago Bears and White Sox.

Madsen also enjoys tending to his vegetable and flower gardens, which he describes as a relaxing hobby.

“I grow a little bit of everything,” Madsen said of his vegetable garden. “Also, I can have fresh flowers on the kitchen table from May 1st to Nov. 1st.”

Madsen said he’s had a good life in LaMoille.

“Our life was always people,” Madsen said of his life with his wife Betty, who died seven years ago after a battle with cancer. “Being here, I have a place where I can look at all my memories and keep them right in front of me.”