Madelyn C. Danielson, 84, died on Friday, February 20, 2015 at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck to join her loving husband Arnold of 56 years. Funeral Services will be 11:00 A.M., Thursday, February 26, 2015, at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Benson. Burial will be in the Benson City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, February 25, 2015, at Zniewski Funeral Home in Benson. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church. Madelyn Corrine Maanum Danielson was born February 24, 1930 in rural Clontarf, Hoff Township in Pope County to Conrad Oliver & Mathilda (Monson) Maanum. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at West Zion Lutheran Church by Rev. K.R. Palmer. She attended grades 1-5 in Pope County District #91 and attended grades 6-12 in Benson, graduating in 1948. She attended Teachers Normal Training in Glenwood for 1 year. In the fall of 1949, she started teaching Rural School in Pope County and south of Benson in Torning Township. July 12, 1953, Madelyn was united in marriage to Arnold Danielson at West Zion Lutheran Church by Rev. L.C. Anderson. They moved to the Twin Cities and she was a Secretary for Marsh and McCellan Insurance Company in downtown Minneapolis for one year. They returned to the Starbuck area and farmed in Langhei Township and Rolling Forks Township. She began teaching again in Pope County Rural School Districts. She taught Rural School for a total of 7 years. In 1966 they moved with their three children to Benson where she worked at the Jr. High Library, Study Hall, Office, and later worked in the Sr. High Office. Madelyn retired in 1993 after 26 years with the Benson School District, working with children and young adults which she loved. She was a member of Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church of Benson, a Sunday School Teacher, Circle and Bible Study Leader, and President of Our Redeemer's Women. She loved playing the clarinet and piano, sang alto in choir, and taught piano lessons to neighbor children while living on the farm in Starbuck and after moving to Benson. She enjoyed needlework, sewing, was active in 4-H, and liked baking, rolling lefse and flat bread, making rommegrout, and dark klub for the Norwegian Smorgasbords at Our Redeemer's. Madelyn loved planning family reunions, celebrating birthdays, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She liked camping, bus trips, and traveling to parades, especially to watch the marching bands perform. Madelyn is survived by her 3 children: Paul (Cheryl) Danielson of Starbuck, John (Bety) Danielson of Kandiyohi and Joan Wigfield (special friend Ferid Grtzner) of Maplewood; 7 grandchildren: Nick (Stacy) Danielson, Leann (Matt) Simonson, Shelby (Eric) Thesing, Barry Danielson, Kari (Shane) Steinbeisser, Emily (Darren) LaPage and Michael Wigfield; 4 great-grandchildren: Christopher Danielson, Rita Thesing, Coy Thesing, Sadie Simonson (and 3 more on the way); and sister-in-law Franny Maanum. Madelyn was preceded in death by her husband Arnold in 2009; her sisters Mrytice Espelien and Irene Kamrud, also in 2009; her brothers Randall and Junior Maanum; her sister-in-law Jean Maanum, brothers-in-law Edward Espelien and Melvin Kamrud; and her beloved parents. Memorials preferred to: National Parkinson Foundation Minnesota 5905 Golden Valley Road, Suite 237 Golden Valley, MN 55422 Minnewaska Community Health Services PO Box 40 Starbuck, MN 56381
