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Fred William Madison, age 92, of Humboldt, IA (formerly of Eagle Grove), passed away at the HCMH Senior Living Center on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
Fred was born on February 15, 1934, to Fred and Lucy (Farmer) Madison in Marengo, IA. He graduated with the 1952 Class of Goldfield, IA. Those who knew Fred in high school knew he was never far from a little mischief. A practical joker and often the instigator of whatever trouble was brewing. Fred had a knack for getting things started, and that sense of humor stayed with him throughout his life.
On September 12, 1955, Fred married the love of his life, Regina Gilligan, in Livermore, IA. They lived in the Mason City area for several years before moving to Eagle Grove in 1966.
He and Regina were blessed with five daughters. If you asked Fred which one was his favorite, the answer depended entirely on which daughter happened to be around to help him at the time. His love for his family only grew with each generation. He was a proud grandfather of nine and great-grandfather of 16 who showed up for every - the big things, the little things, and everything in between. Games, recitals, milestones, celebrations, or simply a moment when someone needed him, Grandpa Fred was there. His presence was one of the greatest gifts he gave his family.
Fred spent his entire career in Eagle Grove with Umthun Trucking, initially behind the wheel as a driver and later behind the scenes as dispatcher. After retiring from Umthun's, Fred wasn't quite ready to sit still. He spent his retirement years working at Christ Furniture, where he continued to stay busy delivering furniture and helping arrange the store's window displays.
Fred was a man with a generous heart. He would give his last dollar and the shirt off his back to anyone who needed it. His kindness wasn't something he talked about; it was simply how he lived. He was one of the founding members of the Eagle Grove ambulance service, dedicating many years to serving and caring for the people in his community. During a church retreat, Fred learned about the needs of families in the Appalachian Mountains. From the mid - 1980s through the 1990s, he helped organize a pre-Christmas fundraising effort that collected supplies for those in need. True to his nature, Fred didn't just make a donation and walk away; he helped fill an Umthun semi with supplies and coordinated the drivers to make the trip.
Fred loved to travel and enjoyed seeing new places, but some of his favorite stops were simply wherever family and friends gathered. His faith was an important part of his life; he was a longtime member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Eagle Grove, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and was involved with the Knights of Columbus. He also enjoyed golf, fishing, good conservation, and simple pleasures of being surrounded by people he loved.
After Regina's passing in 2021, his Thursday night club became an especially important part of his life. Those evenings and his Monday morning coffee at Christ Furniture, brought friendship and laughter to the last five years of his life. His family will miss his stories, generosity, love of trains, best hugs, and simply knowing he was always only a phone call away. They will especially miss his familiar answer when asked how he was doing: "I'm nice". They are comforted knowing where his final journey was headed; Fred's final wish was simple: to be reunited with his beloved Regina.
Survivors include his five daughters, Janelle (James) Ekeler of Lincoln, NE, Michelle (Lewis) Pergande of Jewell, Renee Madison of Lincoln, NE, Kerrie (Rick) Woodley of Laurens and Stephanie Sisson of Humboldt; 9 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren and sisters, Marian Freeman of Plattsburg, MO and Donnarae Cranston of Grundy Center. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Lucy; wife, Regina; brother, James and sisters, Arlene, Berniece, JoAnn, and Margaret.
Recitation of the Rosary will be at 4:30 p.m. and Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2 at Foust Funeral Home in Eagle Grove. A Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Eagle Grove. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery at Goldfield.
Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.