Memorial
Frederick “Fred” J Madison Sr., 87, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Hiawatha Care Center after a courageous battle with multiple health conditions. Services will be held Thursday, March 13, 2025, 11:00 am, at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories with Masonic rites incorporated in the Service. Visitation will begin at 09:30 am at the Chapel prior to the service. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. A livestream of the funeral service may be accessed on the funeral home website under the obituary for Frederick Madison under the video tab starting at 11:00 am on March 13.
Fred was born February 21, 1938, to Dick and Gloria Madison. He spent his childhood alternating between Cedar Rapids and Fort Madison until the family moved to Chula Vista. He returned to Cedar Rapids to finish high school and lived with his grandmother, Florence (Murmur) Madison and graduated from Roosevelt in 1956—the last graduating class at Roosevelt as a high school. Fred still maintained friendships with some of his graduating classmates even today.
Fred worked a variety of jobs after high school until the draft called him to service. He proudly served in the United States Army but was honorably discharged on medical disability. Fred married Penelope (Penny) Fleisher (whom he lovingly referred to as 1 cent) in Cedar Rapids on September 15, 1962, and they celebrated their 62nd anniversary in 2024.
Fred loved to “tinker” and make things work. He took a locksmith course through the mail and found his life’s vocation. Fred’s Lock and Key was established in 1966 where he and son, Fred Jr. and Joel Mann provided lock services until retiring in 2022.
In younger years, Fred enjoyed bowling and golf. He joined the Masonic fraternity in 1970 and related organizations, most notably his home lodge, York Rite bodies, the Shrine, and Order of Quetzalcoatl, Directors Staff of El Kahir Shrine. He was active in these organizations and served them well. In 2000, he was the national head of the Order of Quetzalcoatl and traveled the United States along with an annual trip to Cancun until his health halted travel.
Surviving are his wife, Penny; daughter, Carol Mann, (Matthew Neuhaus); son, Frederick J Madison Jr., twin grandsons, Joshua Mann and Kyle Mann (Hallie Good); twin grandsons, Jeremy Mann and Dalton Mann (Jessica Butterfield); brothers, Dick Madison (Jennifer), Hal Pollard, and Patrick Madison (Amanda); sisters, Mary Ray, Dixie Horstekotte; Janice Neff and Virginia Durand; sister in-law Holly Vogt; special cousin, Chuck Madison, numerous nieces, nephews, friends like family, and his numerous Masonic brothers—near and far. All were dear to Fred.
Preceding him to eternal life were his parents, Dick Madison and Gloria Pollard; grandparents, Charles and Florence Madison, brothers in-law Roger Vogt, Dale Ray and Dan Horstekotte, along with ancestors too numerous to name.
The family would like to offer sincere thanks to the caring staff at Hiawatha Care Center and a special thank you to Dr Mary Ann Nelson for directing Fred’s complex medical care.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to El Kahir Shrine, PO Box 38, Hiawatha, Iowa 52233.
Family requests casual attire: Fred was a shorts and sandals guy and hated having to put on a suit.