Melvin Eugene Madsen, 84

Melvin Eugene Madsen, 84, passed away peacefully at his home in Sandpoint, Idaho on Wednesday, August 7, 2019.

Private family services have been held.

Mel was born on Oct. 30, 1934, in Sandpoint to Elmer and Josephine (Viehouser) Madsen. He was raised with his brother Gerald “Jerry” Madsen.

Mel married the love of his life, Marilyn “Mary” Gooby on January 24, 1958, at the Hitching Post in Coeur d’Alene. They were blessed with 58 years of marriage and three children whom he loved very much.

He graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1952 and the Univer-sity of Idaho in 1956. He was drafted and served 7.5 years in the United States Army Reserve.

He worked for the Forest Service as a log scaler, delivered beverages for a local distributorship and then retired from Louisiana Pacific at the age of 74. He enjoyed watching basketball and was a Gonzaga Bulldog fan.

He loved talking basketball and shooting the breeze with his brothers-in-law and good friend Gene Holt. He had an abundance of stories to share with anyone who had the time to listen.

Mel was an incredible grandfather, known fondly to his grandkids as “Gramps.”

Gramps took a lot of pride and joy in his grandkids, whom he helped raise. Mel will be remembered by his sense of humor, which remained until the end.

He is survived by his children, Lori Yaw, Juli (Anthony) Tucker, and Scott Madsen; seven grandchildren, Brooke (John) Winton, Holli-Rae (Mike) Barros, Paul (Ali) Marienau, Jarae Marienau, David (Killee) Marienau, Valerie Yaw, and Brian (Lisa) Yaw; four great-grandchildren, Henry, Ella, Adam, Alex and one on the way.

He is also survived by his brothers-in-law, Bob, Dick, and Pat Gooby; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Mary, and brother Jerry Madsen.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Melvin’s online memorial at lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.