Erlis M. Madsen

Erlis Mae Madsen, 88, of Great Falls, passed away June 19, 2016 at Peace Hospice.A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Highland Cemetery. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Erlis was born on June 28, 1927 in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota to Henry and Mabel Madsen.She married Vinal H. Madsen on May 15, 1946 in Albert Lea, Minnesota. They moved around a lot because her husband was in the Air Force. They lived in Minnesota, Washington, Illinois, Hawaii, Newfoundland, Canada, and finally Montana. Together they had six children. They owned a motel in Lincoln, retiring from the motel business in 1983. She went to work as a Nurses Aide and Surgical Tech in Great Falls, Sidney, and Miles City.Erlis was a snowbird, moving to Arizona in the winter months and returning to Minnesota and Montana in the summer months. She moved back to Great Falls in 1990. In February 2014, she moved to Eagles Manor where she made lots of friends. She enjoyed playing Texas Hold Em for pennies, going on outings, and playing pranks. She moved to Rivers Edge Assisted Living the end of May 2016.She is survived by her children, Darla (Rodger) Jacoby, Carol (Jerry) Benoit, Allan (Cindy Leighton) Madsen, James (Emily) Madsen, and John (Teresa) Madsen; brother Elroy (Bud) Madsen; 23 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren.Erlis was preceded in death by her husband, Vinal Madsen; daughter Judith Wilson; parents Henry and Mabel Madsen; brother and sister-in-law, Merlin and Evelyn Madsen; granddaughter Ashley Madsen; and grandson Charlie Townsend.In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation to Peace Hospice, 1101 26th St S, Great Falls, MT 59405 or a charity of the donors choice.