Luella May (Oliver) Madsen

On February 9, 2022, Luella May (Oliver) Madsen died peacefully at the age of 88, at the Bridge in Sandpoint.

She was born to Ruth and Russell Oliver on November 24, 1933, at the home of Ruth’s parents in Dover, Idaho. She lived with her parents and younger brother, Glen William Oliver, in Colburn, Idaho, on property fondly known as “the ranch.”

Luella graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1951, then attended the University of Idaho, where she majored in accounting. She married Gerald (Jerry) Madsen, a fellow Sandpoint High School graduate, in 1953. The married couple lived in Saint Louis, Missouri, while Jerry completed dental school at Washington University. After dental school, they returned to Sandpoint, where they lived the remainder of their adult lives.

Luella was a strong and devoted partner, running the business side of the dental practice, while attending to their four children. She was a steadfast moral compass at the heart of her family, and passed along her passion for educational excellence to all of her children. Later years brought her the joys of grand parenting, spawning the family legend of “Camp Grandma Lou” at their house on the lake.

After Jerry retired, they spent the winter months in Yuma, Arizona, to escape the harsh winters of North Idaho. In both homes, she was an avid gardener and enjoyed a relentless pursuit of genealogy.

Luella is survived by her three children, Douglas Madsen, Connie Malone, and Kay Madsen; her brother, Glen Oliver; her grandchildren, Brian Madsen, Lisa Madsen, Andra Vitamanti Beno, Greg Malone, Brad Malone, and Nicole Campagna; and seven great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Jerry Madsen; daughter, Diana Madsen Vitamanti; and grandson Anthony Vitamanti. Per her wishes, there will be no services. The family will hold a private memorial at a later date.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Luella’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her guest book.