Marian Ruth Madison

Monday, January 30, 2012
Marian Ruth Madison

Marian Ruth Madison, 85, our dear sweet loving mother, has passed peacefully on Jan. 27, 2012, while in the caring hands of Cedar Crest of Mountain Home. We grieve the loss of her beautiful spirit that we've loved so much, but now we welcome with happiness her joyful loving memory into our hearts eternally.

A viewing for family and friends will be held Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel. Graveside services will follow at 2 p.m. at Mountain View Cemetery.

Marian was born Viola Ruth Imes on Jan. 18, 1927, to John and Ruby Imes of Bozeman, Mont. They created a large family together, Marian being in the middle. Later, she joined the household of a prominent Bozeman family where she was raised into young adulthood as Marian Ruth Hess.

She was a sensible, independent and energetic young woman. She worked for Boeing Aircraft as a "Rosie the Riveter" during the war, she tried out beauty school as a beautician and she also worked as a telephone operator.

She saved her money and then she attended Northwest Nazarene College. Through her sorority, she was introduced to a handsome young man from New Meadows, Idaho, Lewis Gary Madison, who was visiting on leave from the Navy. It was love at first sight for the two of them, and they were married in Nampa.

The happy couple soon settled into family life in what was considered Idaho's boomtown at the time, Mountain Home. Marian became the homemaker and eventually mother to eight beautiful children while Lewis worked his way up from clerking at Harris Grocery to Harris Truck and Implement to the Mountain Home newspaper and finally to a position at First Security Bank.

Although Marian had her social functions to attend to and was active in the LDS Church Relief Society, she was a devoted mother first and foremost. Marian was always happiest when she was with her children.

She was known for her great sense of humor, she loved classical music and she loved to sing hymns. Her rich, beautiful voice was a blessing to us all, and it was a special joy for her to get to sing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on one occasion while visiting the Temple. She was our special blessing in life and she remains forever in the hearts of all she loved so much.

Marian is survived by her sons Carl Lewis Madison of Boise, Roy Edward Madison of Utah, Vern James Madison of Oregon, Kenneth John Madison of Boise, David Brian Madison of Montana, her daughters Marie Marian Jones of New Mexico and Joan Irene Lattin of Washington, plus seventeen grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lewis, her wonderful son, Earl Lemuel Madison, her precious baby, Ronnie Lee Madison, and her great-granddaughter, Grace.