John Madden

Rock Rapids, IA                CLICK HERE TO WATCH LIVESTREAM

     John Madden age 84 of Omaha, NE, formerly of Rock Rapids, IA died Thursday, June 30, 2022, at his residence in Omaha.

     Mass of Christian Burial will 10:30 AM Wednesday, July 6^th at Holy Name Catholic Church in Rock Rapids, IA, with Father Sunny Dominic as celebrant.

     Visitation will be Tuesday, July 5^th from 5:30 to 8:00, with a Vigil Service at 7:30 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids.

      John Michael Madden was born February 5, 1938, in Aberdeen, South Dakota to Michael and Ruth (Lorenzen) Madden. He attended elementary school in Mound City and graduated from Herreid High School in 1956. John attended Northern State University in Aberdeen for two years and graduated from South Dakota State University in Brookings obtaining both a B.S. and M.S. degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1961 and 1968.

     John was an avid athlete in high school and went on to play football at both NSU and SDSU. In 1959, he was selected as an International Farm Youth Exchange delegate to Italy and spent six months in Italy living and working with 13 different farm families.

     On December 28, 1960, John married Janet Weisbeck at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Herreid, SD.  They lived in Brookings, SD until moving to Lincoln, NE in June, 1961 where he worked at the Engineering Design Unit for the Soil Conservation Service. Their sons Michael, David, and Loren were born in Lincoln.

     In 1965 John returned to Brookings to work for the Water Resources Research Institute while studying for his Master's degree.  In 1972 John and Jan moved to Rock Rapids, IA where John joined DGR Engineering as a Professional Engineer. Their son Steve was born in Rock Rapids.

     Throughout his accomplished engineering career, John worked on various projects including the design of storage and grade stabilization dams, establishment of a water quality testing laboratory, and research on irrigation water quality and pollution potential from livestock feedlots.  From 1972 to 2013 John served as design engineer, project manager, department head and President of DGR. While at DGR, John assisted in the organization, design, and construction of regional Rural Water Systems in Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, and Minnesota. While John’s work took him to all parts of the upper Midwest, he was always most proud of the work he’d done in his beloved home state of South Dakota. John also served in the Army National Guard for 13 years in units at Mobridge, SD, Lincoln, NE, and Flandreau, SD.

      John was an active member of Holy Name Catholic Church in Rock Rapids, IA where he served as a member and chairman of the Holy Name Church Men's Group. John also volunteered his time with the Rock Rapids Development Corporation, Lyon County Zoning Board, and Central Lyon School Bond Committee.

     John was recognized as an Iowa Engineering Society Life Member, 2002 Upper Missouri Water Association Distinguished Service Award, Community Affairs Corporation Community Service Award, 2003 SDSU Distinguished Engineer, and 2013 South Dakota Rural Water Association’s Friend of Rural Water Award.

     John was known to many as an avid runner who could often be seen on the streets of Rock Rapids in the early morning.  He was also a lifelong Cubs and Packers fan, watching many games on tv as well as attending a few in person. He leaves many memories with those close to him, including spending summers sailing and wind surfing at the family cabin in Round Lake, MN, traveling with his wife Jan, taking hiking trips with his sons in Wyoming, and playing many games of bridge with friends and cribbage with his sons and grandchildren.  His voice of wisdom and reason accompanied with love and compassion was always a sounding board to many.

     John is survived by his wife Jan, 4 sons; Mike (Jean) in Omaha, Dave (Cindy) in Borger, TX, Loren (Robyn) in Christchurch, NZ and Steve (Alissa) in Eagan, MN, 14 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, and brother, Tim.

     He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Sue, and brother, Dennis.