Dear family

Condolences on the loss of”Grandma Madsen”

In my family in Langaa, Denmark, Marian was admired for everything she did. My grandmother-Magda, my father and his siblings proudly spoke about Marian’s talent for cake decoration, farming, wheat weaving etc.

As a child I met Marian and Rasmus during one of their visits to Denmark where they visited Rasmus’ mother- my grandma’s sister and neighbour. It was exiting to have family in Canada, Marian was very nice and even spoked danish.

Many years later our daughter Marie lived with Leanne and Jens in Drumheller for a year and Marian was during that time a true grandma to Marie.

Our whole family enjoyed Marian’s company and hospitality, danish meals and fantastic cakes - not least her mince pies. She was highly valued in our family.

We are grateful to have known‘Grandma Madsen” and will always cherish our memories of her.

With love

Marie, Jonas, Anja, Simon, Henrik and Gitte

I took many cake decorating classes from Marian. She was a very patient teacher and was always ready to lend a hand if you needed help with a project.

Condolences to Yens, Tom and their families

Our sympathies to Jens, Tom and families. Marian was an asset to any community, always had a smile and would lend a helping hand. Loved her curling and being with family and friends.

Marian made an impression on this world and in our community. I was privileged to curl against her, learn to make icing flowers and decorate cakes, learn the art of straw weaving and teach her two boys. She has left many good memories to us.

We thank Marian for coming into our lives, a tremendous wealth of knowledge and a very dear friend, we will deeply miss our coffee with numerous treats over a natter! Sleep peacefully … it is more than well deserved, a full life lived. I hold several of the sugar flower creations Marian taught me to make, treasured even more now.

I don't believe that Marian chose the woman that she was, rather I believe her path chose her instead.

Whatever she needed, whatever life called for - that's who she became. It wasn't about what she wanted but rather what she needed to do and be at any given time. She always did what she needed to to keep moving forward in her life and always with a positive, can-do attitude.

She often told me of her life growing up as a child, and then a young woman, and truth be told she didn't know how she'd make it sometimes, but she always found a way.

She was the one everyone looked to for strength, courage and passion, her parents, her siblings, her husband Ras, her sons, even her friends of whom I was privileged to be one, and somehow she was always able to become what she needed to be to help each one who needed her.. She said it wasn't easy or painless because the struggles she fought were almost overwhelming at times. But she made things happen because that's who she was.

She was never fearless, flawless or faultless, but she was always REAL, GENUINE AND AUTHENTIC!

She loved with all her heart and never did anything halfway.

Her soul was filled with passion and she loved hard where there was love to be had.

She filled many roles and had a never ending list of responsibilities, but she learned she was capable of conquering anything. The fires that sometimes threatened to burn her alive just fueled her to rise above them and fly high!

She provided and protected for those who needed her and she loved the people who wanted her love. And she fought for those and helped many who couldn't protect themselves.

She was a woman of many talents, qualities and depths, born of the darkest times which forged her ironclad spirit. But no matter who she's been and what she's done, there was always one part of her that she needed the most:

THE SURVIVOR. The one who kept her going, gave her strength and lifted her when she fell.

Come what may, that will always be the part of her that she valued most, for as long as she ever needed her, she was always there - a beautiful beautiful Survivor!

I lived her life through the many stories she told me during the many many hours we spent together over the last fourteen years, and she encouraged me, forged me, sometimes scolded me, to be the best version of myself and for that I will be eternally grateful. She has left a HUGE footprint on my African heart and Africa never forgets.

I will miss you forever Marian, and I will never stop grieving - I will hopefully just get used to being without you. Thank you for all you did for me, the laughter, sometimes the tears, and lessons where I learned to be whole and strong again. Every moment with you was precious and I thank you!

Love always Lynette Oosthuizen (and "The Boss" - her affectionate name for Chris)

Our deepest condolences to the whole Madsen family on the passing of Marian. I have fond memories of Marian as a kind, strong, talented, and creative lady. All qualities to be admired! Of course there were the occasional scoldings when "us boys" would get into trouble around the Madsen farm, but those were well deserved, and usually followed up with a cookie and juice. Wishing you all the best during this time of loss.

Shawn, Sheena and Evan Vammen

My condolences to the Madsen family and extended family. I grew up on the “outskirts” of Kathyrn, attending school with Jens and Thomas and running around the Curling Rink and Keoma Hall with the pack of kids from the community. A special memory that I have of Mrs. Madsen (old habits die hard) is some lovely Santa Claus sugar cubes she gave to my Grandma Jean Brown, for teas the community ladies used to have. I inherited them when Grandma passed and always put them out at Christmas. No amount of glue could hold them together after some 30+ years. I was lamenting their demise and shedding a tear with my Mom, Alice, some years before she too, passed. She reached out to Mrs. M and asked her to make me a new set. That set now comes out every year at Christmas, as well, and is placed in their special spot in the china cabinet. A special lady with a sweet skill that will be missed.

Sincerely,

Angie Brown

We were very sad to hear of Marion's passing. I would like to pass on our condolences to Jens and Thomas and their families.

Jonathan, Megan and Cian Volf

Marian was a valued friend of Bent’s family for many years. She attended our family weddings and decorated the wedding cakes for our daughters. They were beautiful! It is our greatest privilege to own her Delacour property. Though we don’t have her green thumb, we have loved our home for more than 27 years now. When she built her new home north of us, we would often visit. Always a gracious hostess and neighbour she shared her garden bounty with us. It was an honour to know her. She will be missed. Our heartfelt condolences to all of the family.

Bent and Jocelyne Larsen

We always enjoyed our visits with Marian over the years. She was such a great lady, full of common sense and determination. Our sincere condolences to all of her family.

Pat and Donna Durnin