Warren H. Madson

Warren H. Madson, age 83, of Bandera, Tex.,, formerly of Calmar, Iowa, died on June 15, 2018, at home, following a stroke. Warren Helgeson Madson was born March 22, 1935, on a farm in Newburg, Minn., to Talbert and Helen (Helgeson) Madson. He was baptized and confirmed in Fountain Lutheran Church.

He graduated Preston High School in 1953. He was captain of the football team. He attended LeTourneau Technical School in Longview, Tex., continued his studies at the University of Alaska and at the University of Alabama, and received an associate of science degree from Texas State Technical College in Waco, Tex. Warren entered the U.S. Air Force in San Antonio, Tex., in 1955. He married Beverly Var in 1956. To this union was born Cheryl Lynn Madson. They later divorced. After training on jet airplanes, he flew helicopters in Anchorage, Alaska. He left the Air Force and went into the construction business for two years in San Antonio. June 19, 1962, Warren entered the U.S. Coast Guard and was based in San Diego, Calif. He got transferred to Miami, Fla., during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He flew the HU-16E Albatross and helicopters. He qualified as a Seaplane Pilot, a Shipboard Helicopter Pilot and Coast Guard Standardization Pilot, accumulating more than 6,000 hours during his military career.

While on a National Airlines flight Warren met stewardess Anna Belle Acree. They were married in Orlando, Fla., July 18, 1964, and honeymooned in the Scandinavian countries. He was based in Naples, Italy, three years, flying C-123 to Greece, Spain, Turkey and around Italy supplying the Loran Sites. He then transferred to Salem Coast Guard Air Station, Mass., and then to Otis Air Force Base, where he continued his helicopter search and rescue. He was honored many times, including with Winged S for his daring life-saving feats. Subsequently, he was based in Mobile, Ala., at the Coast Guard Aviation Training Center where he trained pilots to land on ships. He was also deployed to Antarctica. His last assignment was Cleveland, Ohio, where he was liaison to 6,000 Coast Guard Auxiliarists in the eight states around The Great Lakes. After 24 years of service, Warren and Anna Belle farmed and raised registered beef master cattle near Moody, Tex. He was President of Elm Creek Water Supply and President of McLennan County Farm Bureau. To be closer to his aging mother, Warren and Anna Belle moved to Harmony, Iowa. He was a member of Calmar Lions Club of Halverson-Gieson American Legion Post #266, a member of Calmar Lutheran Church and was President on the Council. They moved to Bandera, Tex., to be near daughter, Cheryl Harrison. They became members of Grace Lutheran Church. Warren became a member of American Legion Post #157. He was also a QB and member of the Ancient Order of the Pterodactyl, a Coast Guard Pilots Association.

Warren is survived by his wife, Anna Belle Madson, his daughter, Cheryl Lynn Harrison of Boerne, Tex., his grandson Brian Timothy Crabb of Pittsburg, Pa., a sister, JoAnn Erickson, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and several nieces and nephews.

Warren was preceded in death by his parents, his granddaughter Erin Janelle Crabb, brothers Arden Madson and Thomas Madson, and sister Susan ONeil.

A graveside service with military honors will be held on Saturday, June 30, 2018, at 10 a.m. at the Bandera Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at Grace Lutheran Church.

In lieu of glowers, donations may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, PO Box 1226, Bandera, Tex. 78003.