Kirk Madsen, 62, of Carpenter, passed away on November 17, 2025. He entered heaven peacefully with his two children holding his hands, just as he wanted it. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the Willow Lake Evangelical Lutheran Church in Willow Lake, SD. All are invited to gather in fellowship after the service.

Kirk James Madsen was born on March 31, 1963, at St. John's Hospital in Huron, SD to Robert & Doris (Johnson) Madsen. He was the baby of six children and was adored by all his siblings. He was baptized at Willow Lake Evangelical Lutheran Church. Kirk spent his life living in Carpenter. He graduated from Willow Lake High School in 1981.

Kirk married Dawn Weston in 1986. They had two children, Brock and Megan and later divorced. Kirk dedicated his time and energy to raising his kids. He was a farmer through and through, and spent all of his life working on his family's farm.

As his health declined, he still maintained smaller roles on the farm, helping out in any way that he could. As years went on, he enjoyed driving around in his pickup checking on the cattle and crops. He also enjoyed going into town for a meal from Sherry at the Carpenter Café, stopping to visit at the Carpenter Country Store, and Agtegra.

The most important thing in Kirk's life was his family, and he lived this by showing up and being there for us all. He enjoyed attending his kids' sporting events and rarely missed any games. He was always there for his kids and supported them through everything they did. He seemed to be the one his nieces and nephews enjoyed reaching out to for advice or just a nice conversation. He loved his siblings very much. Being a single father and not much of a chef he spent many years driving with his kids to Grandma Doris's house every day for lunch and supper. He was her baby, and she took care of him and his kids until she passed. Kirk then moved into his mother's home where he lived until near the end of his life with his companion and buddy, Speed (his dog).

Kirk loved his friends very much. He had many close friends from childhood and high school that he kept throughout his entire life. During his final days, he had many of them call or visit to share stories and memories. Kirk was very happy to see them and knew they were there for him until the very end. He made sure to tell everyone that he loved them and appreciated them coming to visit him. That was Kirk, always sharing his love and kindness with others. He did not judge and was always there for people when they needed someone.

Kirk's greatest gift in life was being an exceptional father, but his next greatest pride and joy was being a grandpa (Papa) to his five grandbabies, Sebastian, Priscilla, Penelope, Beckett, and Kayleigh. He always said how thankful he was to be able to be alive to see his kids get married and meet his grandkids. He saved every picture and video that was sent to him. As his health declined, he still requested videos or FaceTime's of the kids at their sporting events or doing fun activities so he could feel in the moment with them.

Kirk tackled many health implications throughout his years and spent plenty of time at the doctors in Huron and Sioux Falls. He never gave up and he never complained. He was especially thankful to his doctor, Kristi Glanzer and his transplant team at Avera McKennan Hospital who always took great care of him.

Kirk is survived by and will be kept alive in memory by his two children, son Brock (Bridgette) Madsen, daughter Megan (Colt) Palmer, his five grandchildren, Sebastian, Priscilla, Penelope (Megan), Beckett & Kayleigh (Brock), siblings, Kim (Billie) Madsen, Muriel Shepard, Jane (Dick) Brownell, nieces and nephews, Kaley (Heidi) Madsen, Kyla (Travis) Scott, Maggie (Kevin) Square, Brett Brownell, Anna (Tom) Shires, Amanda Shepard, Tom (Bella) Shepard, & Cami Cooper, his dog Speedo, and many other special family members and friends he thought of like family.

Kirk was preceded in death and welcomed into heaven by his mother and father, Doris and Robert (Bob) Madsen, infant brother John Madsen, big sister Candice (Candy) Cooper, and other extended family.