Madison Tomfeld
Madison Tomfeld
July 12, 1924 – January 06, 2011
Memorial Service: 10:30 a.m., Saturday January 15, 2011 at United Methodist Church in Grinnell, Iowa
Interment: at a later date , at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell, Iowa
Madison was born July 24, 1924 to J. Frederick and Jean (Darrow) Tomfeld in Iowa City. He graduated from Muscatine High School in 1943 and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. A rifleman and corporal, he and his First Marine Division fought in Okinawa and Saipan, and then in China after the end of the war. With the help of the GI Bill, he attended Muscatine Junior College and Iowa State, graduating with a B.S. in Farm Operations.
Madison married Mary E. Whitmer in 1951. A true Iowan with a deep love and knowledge of agriculture, he worked for Kent Feeds for 27 years as a district manager, retiring in 1985. Madison was also an avid gardener, trapshooter, and musician. He was a two-time Iowa State Fair Harmonica Champion and placed fourth in a national contest; he was a popular performer at many regional events and care facilities.
He was active in many community and state organizations. He was a 60-year member and Past Master of Hermon Lodge #273 of Grinnell and was a member of the Newton York Rite Bodies; in 2004, he was awarded a high Masonic honor, the T.S. Parvin Award from the Grand Lodge of Iowa AF and AM. He was also a member and Past Master Councilor of G.A. Riemcke DeMolay Chapter of Muscatine and honored with the Degree of Chevalier from DeMolay International. He was a member of the Newton Chapter #100 Order of Eastern Star and Past Patron of Onyx Chapter #360 in Gilman. He also was a member of the American Legion, VFW, First Marine Division Association, Amateur Trapshooter Associations of Iowa and America, and Boy Scouts of America. He was also an active member of the Grinnell United Methodist Church for 51 years.
A man of many talents and interests, Madison was known and loved for his wit, keen intelligence, kindness, and selfless devotion to his family, friends, and ideals. He is survived by his wife Mary, daughters Alice Andersen (husband Steve) and Deborah Twito (Tim), grandchildren Diane Preston (Doug), Russell Andersen; Christopher and Sarah Graham; Sam, Isaac, and Emma Twito; great-grandson Roland Preston; sister Marion Michael, niece Kathy (Ken), nephew Matthew, and great niece and nephew Megan and Brandon. He is also survived by his loving friend and caregiver, Betty Johnston, as well as many cherished friends. Madison was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, George Michael.
Source: Smith Funeral Home
