Madelyn Christensen Golka Boyer died May 9, 2020 at Highland Park Care Center, Alliance, Nebraska.
Due to Covid-19 guidelines, a private family prayer service and graveside committal will be held Thursday, May 14. Bates-Gould Funeral Home of Alliance is in charge of arrangements. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.
Madelyn was born to Mary (Roes) and Magnus Christensen on June 16, 1928. She lived in the Hemingford and Alliance area most of her life. She graduated from Hemingford High School in 1944; shortly thereafter, she attended business school in Denver, Colorado. After graduating from business school, she worked at the Hemingford Bank.
She married Leonard F. Golka on March 30, 1948; they spent their lives farming and ranching, and raising their six children and enjoying their journeys into adulthood.
After Leonard died in September 1982, Madelyn returned to school and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. After graduating, she was employed at the VA Medical Center in Hot Springs, South Dakota for eight years. She married Ross Boyer on December 5, 1992 in Hot Springs, South Dakota. They lived outside Alliance. They enjoyed traveling, working together at the Bridgeport Museum and Knight’s Museum in Alliance, and pursuing Ross’s book publishing endeavors. Ross died October 2005. Madelyn then moved into Alliance.
Madelyn was an active member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church and participated in the Franciscans, Magnificat, and MOMS groups. She volunteered for several years at the Collection Basket.
Madelyn lived for her children and grandchildren. She was an excellent cook and especially enjoyed baking pies. For many years at Christmas, she made several varieties of cookies and candies and would plate them up for businesses, family, neighbors, and friends. She was very creative. She loved making grapevine wreaths and painting craft items for her family and friends. She delighted in taking care of her vegetable and flower gardens over the years. She had a great sense of humor and a joyful, faith-filled heart.
The last months of Madelyn’s life were spent at Highland Park Care Center. Throughout her stay, she always wanted to get well enough to go home. The family is thankful to all the staff at Highland Park Care Center.
Madelyn is survived by her children and step-children and their spouses: Kathleen and Bob McFarland of Grand Island, Nebraska, Barbara Golka (daughter-in-law) of Sacramento, California, Michael and Lori Golka of Calmar, Iowa, Thomas and Maxine Golka of Bertrand, Nebraska, Daniel Golka of Hemingford, Nebraska, Christopher Golka of Catoosa, Oklahoma, Marjory (Margie) McLeod of Osakis, Minnesota and Bill and Janet Boyer of York, Nebraska. Madelyn is also survived by her grand-children John and Molly McFarland, Joshua and Jason Golka, Patsy and Andrew Golka, and Kayla Henderson and step-grand-children JR and Jeremy McFarland, Doug, Dan, and Debi Huston, Cory Ryant and Karissa Forde, Wynn and R.T. Hartshorn, Billy Boyer, and 30 great grandchildren.
Madelyn is also survived by her brother, Don Christensen of Gering, Nebraska; her sister and brother-in-law, Sharon and Bill Engel of Cozad, Nebraska, and a sister-in-law, Janet Oehms of Lincoln, Nebraska.
Madelyn is preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, Leonard and Ross, her son, Stephen, a sister, Berneice Todd, a brother, Arnold (Bud) Christensen, and sister-in-laws, Jean Christensen and Martha Armstrong.
Memorials are suggested to Holy Rosary Catholic Church of Alliance, Nebraska or St. Bridget’s Catholic Church of Hemingford, Nebraska.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.