Emil Madson, 85, died March 27, 2004, after an extended illness with Alzheimer’s. At the time of his death he was surrounded by his family.

He was born in Schaeffer, N.D., on Sept. 3, 1918, to Oscar and Ethel Madson. He grew up in North Dakota and joined the Army in 1940, where he was a Pearl Harbor survivor. After World War II he graduated from the School of Pharmacy at North Dakota State University. He moved to Livingston, Mont., in 1953, where he purchased Public Drug in partnership with this brother-in-law, Roald J. Mogen.

He retired in 1980 and moved to Whidbey Island in 1997 to be closer to his two children and their families. He loved the salt water and evergreen countryside of Whidbey Island

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Alice; daughter Patty Sievers, (Bill) Freeland; son Gary Madson (Molly) Bellevue; grandchildren Allison and Lindsay Sievers and Katie and David Madson.

A private family service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland.

The family asks that remembrances be sent to Time Together Alzheimer’s Group, Senior Services of Island County, 14594 SR. 525 Langley, WA 98260