Michael D. “Mike” Madsen, a lifelong resident of Hermiston, passed away on Jan. 12, 2024 at Good Shepherd Hospital in Hermiston at the age of 70.
He was born on Feb. 8, 1953 in Caldwell, Idaho to Don and Joyce Madsen.
Being a coach’s son, Mike was very involved in sports throughout his childhood, including baseball, basketball, football, and tennis. After graduating from Hermiston High School in ’71, he attended Brigham Young University to study agronomy. This led him to a lifelong career of farming around the Columbia Basin, spending most of his career at AgriNorthwest. In addition, he had a few adventures farming in Egypt and Libya, where his claim to fame was meeting Muammar Gaddafi.
In his later years, Mike enjoyed being active in the community by serving on the board of Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation and helping with the Festival of Trees. He also proudly served as commissioner and past chair of the Washington State Potato Commission and advocated for agriculture at the national level as a board member of the National Potato Council.
Mike is survived by his children, Ashley (Greg) Harris, Allison Johnson, Steven (Danielle) Madsen and Anne (Jake) Merriman; his grandchildren, Kole, Emery, Tyler, Elizabeth, Casey, Charlotte, Sawyer, Ronin, and Quinn; his brother, Mark (Joanna) Madsen; and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A celebration of life gathering will be held on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 at 1 p.m. at the Maxwell Siding Pavilion, 255 N. First St., Hermiston.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial donation be made to Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation.
The entire family would like to extend our deep appreciation to Good Shepherd Hospital for taking care of Mike during his last days.
Please share memories of Mike with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
