Huber Madsen

Huber E. Madsen, 90, passed away on June 19, 2025, after a long and fulfilling life. 

He was born July 18, 1934, in Freeport, IL to Ever M. Dahl and Rosamond (Huber) Dahl.  Due to his mother’s passing days after his birth and his father’s age, the Madsen sisters (Betty and Louise) who were nurses in the hospital, and knew the Dahl and Huber family asked their parents (Albert and Ada) Madsen to take him in.  The Madsen family opened their home to adopt and raise him.  He was frequently visited by his birth father before he passed in 1942.  He grew up during the Great Depression living alongside the Mississippi River in Savanna, IL.  His family provided him with a safe and loving Christian home where enjoyed his summers camping, fishing and hunting with his adopted parents brother, sisters, cousins, and many friends.

Sadly, his adopted parents passed before he graduated high school, so the Law family took him in until he graduated high school in 1952.  

After high school graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy.  He became an Aviation Machinist

Mate, and was assigned to a Naval Air Transport squadron at Hickam Air Force Base, Oahu, Hawaii where he was able to travel all over the western pacific to provide in-flight and ground technical support during missions.  From there, in 1954 he transferred to a Naval Air Test Squadron at Quonset Point Naval Air Station in Rhode Island performing the same duties.  This is where he met the love of his life Beverly E. Hartlen.  

In 1956, after serving four years in the Navy, and achieving the rank of Petty Officer Second Class (E5) he decided to transfer to the U.S. Air Force as a Staff Sergeant.  He purchased a new 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air hardtop, and Beverly and him drove to Savanna to get married on the way to his next four years at Castle Air Force Base in California.

During his tour at Castle AFB and living in Merced, they enjoyed camping and waterskiing in the lakes of the Sierra Nevada mountains and made many lifelong friends.  It was near the end of this tour in 1960 their first son Rodney was born, and they decided to end the military life and move to the small farm community of Morrison IL (not far from Savanna).  He worked in the agriculture field where Beverly was a homemaker and later became a Veterinary Technician.  In 1963, they had their second son Randy.  

During the next 15 years, he enjoyed camping, fishing and hunting with his boys, beloved dogs and many friends.  He especially enjoyed camping with Beverly and the dogs at Rockwood State Park near Morrison where they shared many a great times with friends and family.

In 1978, they decided to move to Billings, Montana where they could enjoy the beautiful camping, and great hunting and fishing.

He worked in the agricultural industry for several years.  His last job was working in a sporting goods store in the gun shop where he loved being able to help people with his decades of hunting and fishing experience.

During retirement, he enjoyed spending time with Beverly and the family.  Dogs were always a part of the family as well.  He loved being able to spend time with all his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He loved spending time with his grandson Riley teaching him how to fish and hunt.

He was preceded in death by all his parents, and his loving wife Beverly of 59 years.  He is survived by his sons Rodney and Randy and their spouses, three grandchildren (Casey, Kendra, and Riley), and five great grandchildren (Ryder, James, Roxanne, Taylor, and Ruger).