Joseph Andrew Madsen, a long time resident of Beaverlodge, Alberta passed away on Friday, December 25, 2015 in Beaverlodge at the age of 73 years. Andy was born in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan; he was the eldest of seven children to the late Jorgen and late Victoria (Fiddler) Madsen. Andy's early years were spent in Ile a la Cross, SK and in Buffalo Narrows, SK. Andy worked for the Hudson Bay Company in Manitoba (Northern Sores Division) for a number of years before joining the Canadian Armed Forces where he trained as a Communications Technician. Andy's first posting was in Grande Prairie, AB, where he met and married Joan Dombrova. They were stationed in various locations throughout Canada and Andy did one tour in Egypt. When Andy retired from the service they moved back to Grande Prairie where Joan passed away in 1989. Andy met Catherine in 1995 and in the ensuing years they shared many common interests and spent many joyful days golfing, curling, and camping. They also spent their winters in Yuma, Arizona so they could maintain their golf skills for summer tournaments back home. Andy is survived by his fiancée Catherine Nychka, is son Andrew (Beverly), his daughter Angela (Donald) Wickham, and Catherine's daughters: Cindy Nychka, Tallie Nykolyshyn, and Wanda Clarke (Digger Baerg), as well as his siblings: Karen (Ed) McMartin, Lawrence (Donna) Madsen, Velna (Harvey) Hart, Irene (Don) Huggins, Jorgen (Rebecca) Madsen Jr., and Madsine Haas, along with sixteen grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Also left to mourn Andy's passing are Viola and Dennis Gillespie, Evelyn Glenn, and Mavis and Wilfred Hanson. Andy's family would like to invite you to a Celebration of Life on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 2:00 PM at the Hythe Legion. Pauline Haycock will officiate. Friends and family are invited to the Beaverlodge Cemetery for interment following the service. For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Andy to the Alberta Cancer Foundation - Volunteers CCI, 710-10123 99th Street NW, Edmonton, AB T5J3H1, or to the West County Health Complex, Box 30, Beaverlodge, AB T0H0C0 towards building the new hospital in Beaverlodge. Very Respectfully Beaverlodge Funeral Service