Olaf Jens Madsen
SHELBY, NC – Olaf Jens Madsen, age 89, of Shelby, N.C., passed away July 22, 2020. He was born Dec. 3, 1930, to Adolf and Paula Madsen in Hamburg, Germany.
It was in his youth during World War II that Olaf developed his life-long hobby/passion for Ham Radios alongside his dear friend, Gerd Schrick.
Olaf immigrated to Montreal, Canada, in 1955, in search of opportunities where he met and married Elizabeth Ann (Lila) Stewart from Lisburn, Northern Ireland. Together they moved to Ohio and raised their family of six children, in Chester Township.
Olaf worked for Clark Control and Reliance Electric Company as an engineer.
He spent countless hours and most Sunday mornings in his “shack” on air WA8USP and KF4TP connecting with other ham radio enthusiasts all over the world, many of which remain his dearest and closest friends.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Lila Madsen, of Shelby.
A wonderful father to his children, Neil (Patty) Madsen, of Dublin, Ohio, Ann Pickett, of Washington, D.C., Karin (Pete) Leonetti, of Powell, Ohio, Irene (Gregg) Wright, of Chester Township, and Paul (Kara) Madsen, of Columbia, S.C.
Olaf is also known as “Opa” to 19 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his son Eric Madsen (Reta), of Chardon.
The family will have a private service.
The family requests no flowers, but instead show an act of kindness to someone.
Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Madsen. Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com.
