Madonna Molstad, 81, died on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at her residence in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral service will be held at 2 PM, Friday, May 20, 2011 at Abundant Life Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend Wesley Langaas officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls.

Visitation will be held from 5 " 8 PM, Thursday, May 19, 2011 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls with a 7 PM prayer service and for one hour prior to the service at the church, Friday.

Madonna Mae Kelly was born July 28, 1929 the daughter of James and Dorothy (Webskowski) Kelly. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Bernards Church, Thief River Falls. She attended school in Thief River Falls, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1947. Following graduation, Madonna worked at Ben Franklin Store for 15 years as well as the Best Western for 20 years.

On June 4, 1951, Madonna was united in marriage to Clayton Molstad at St. Bernards Church in Thief River Falls. Together the couple raised 6 children. Madonna then returned to work at Ben Franklin for another 7 years.

Madonna was a member of Abundant Life Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. As a member she enjoyed attending the Christian Womens group, Ladies Aid, Circle, Choir, and Bible Study.

Her favorite pastimes included reading, especially westerns, and watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, rarely missing a show. Madonna enjoyed playing bingo and pakeno, sewing, shopping out of her favorite magazines, and spending time with family and friends. She was affectionately known to her many friends and family as bubbles .

Madonna will be remembered as a wonderful mom, grandma, great-grandma, sister, aunt, and friend.

Survived by children, Tim (Debbie), Scott (Brenda), Clayton (Jeannie), Lori (Merlin) Schroeder, Patrick (Diane) and Shelly (Russell) Olson all of Thief River Falls, MN; 18 grandchildren, Lisa, Brandon, Matthew, Erica, Josh, Jason, Jeremy, Monica, Danica, Timothy, Christopher, Riley, Tyler, Hailey, Jessica, Kyle, Derek, and Danny; 8 great-grandchildren, Jerica, Jasmine, Jada, Ava, Paige, Destiny, Dominic, Kyler; sisters, Patty Huttlestad, Sacramento, CA, and Kathy (William) Hume, Thief River Falls, MN; brothers, James (Janice) Kelly, Crookston, MN; aunt, Betty Hanson of Thief River Falls, MN; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Johnson of Warren, MN, Marlys Molstad of Grand Forks, ND, Sharon Molstad of Thief River Falls, Betty Molstad of Thief River Falls, and Betty (George) Woolman of Lakeside, CA of several aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

Preceding Madonna in death are her husband, Clayton Molstad, November 24, 1991, her parents, James and Dorothy Kelly, and her sister, Marlene Backland.


ORGANIST: Eunice Groethe
SOLOIST: Laurel Johnson
SELECTIONS: On Eagles Wings & Finally Home
CASKETBEARERS: Madonnas Grandchildren
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Amazing Grace & Just A Closer Walk With Thee
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: Robert Reed, Duane Molstad, Bill Hume, Darin Kelly, Bryan Kelly, Gary Johnson