Madonna Agnes (Leahy) Dundee

Madonna Agnes (Leahy) Dundee was born May 15, 1949 at her family home located outside of Rising Sun, WI to Mary (Wood) Leahy and Victor Leahy. On November 8, 2020 at the age of 71 Madonna, while surrounded by her three daughters, went home to her Father at Regional Health Services in Cresco, IA.

Madonna was raised in a loving yet hard working family. She would often tell her family stories of days either working in tobacco fields or helping her mother with housework. Madonna would share that if you wanted to skip out on work you had to be up early before anyone would find you. Madonna had polio as young child and would recall fondly being cared for by her father. Madonna was a member of St. James Catholic Church in Rising Sun WI as a child. She attended many small rural schools in the Rising Sun and Gays Mills area. She attended high school in Gays Mills where she graduated. Upon graduation Madonna went to Viterbo for a semester to be a teacher but ultimately decided she did not want college life.

Madonna began to work at the button factory in Lansing and made many life-long friends while there. It was during her time in Lansing that she met the love of her life, Gary Dundee. Madonna and Gary were married on April 28th 1973. After they were married they spent time living in Cherry Valley Illinois and Ossian IA before returning to Postville where they stayed and raised their wonderful family. Madonna was able to celebrate 45 wonderful years of marriage with her husband before he passed away in 2019.

Madonna was a special person who enjoyed family. She was a homemaker for many years and often welcomed her children’s friends into their home. Some of these friends would come daily for lunch and she would also make sure there was plenty of food. After the youngest child entered school Madonna decided she wanted to return to work. Yet she made sure she found a job that would cause little disruption to the lives of her children. She worked at the Pines Motel for many years, and later with Gundersen Clinic. Madonna was always looking out for her family and made sure with each job she took that she would still have plenty of time to raise her kids. Eventually she decided it was time to stop working and return to being a homemaker.

Madonna continued to be a major part of her children’s lives into adulthood. She would be on the phone daily with her daughters and many times they would be popping in just to say “hello”. She enjoyed caring for her grandkids and would encourage the parents to leave them with her so she could have her time. Madonna also cared for grand-dogs many times over the years.

Madonna is survived by her three daughters Nicole (Brent) Larson of Marshfield, WI, Lori (Jerad) Burns of Postville, IA, and Jennifer (Tom) Benda of Postville, IA. Also her grandchildren Celena Bodensteiner (fiancé, Curtis Dieterich), Hanna (Jed) Pratte, Khiaya Burns, Maclain Burns, Tad Larson ,Rose Benda, Jason Benda, Mckinley Burns, Crue Larson, and Clara Benda. Madonna also left behind her Pekingese, Lucky. Madonna is also survived by three sisters, Patricia Boland of Prairie du Chien, WI, Therese (Jim) Buros of Madison, WI, and Peggy Leahy of McFarland, WI as well as three brothers, Jack (Sharon) Leahy of Oro Valley AZ, Robert Leahy of Pensacola, FL, and Gary Leahy of Waterloo, IA. Madonna is also survived by three sisters-in-law, Dode Dundee of Postville, IA, Cindy (Todd) Rounds of Clermont, IA and Audrey (Bryan) Meyer of Cedar Rapids, IA.

Madonna is preceded in death by her husband, Gary, son Jason and her parents Victor and Mary Leahy. As well as her mother and father in-law, Curtis and Eva Dundee, two sisters, Julaine (Leahy) Riendl and Francis Anita Leahy. Three brothers, Joe Leahy, Edward Leahy and Larry Leahy. Three brothers-in-law, Tom Riendl, Jim Boland, and Monte Dundee as well as many other family members. The family is saddened by the loss of Madonna but they are comforted in the knowledge that she is reunited with her husband and son. Our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same but as God calls us one by one the chain will link again.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 am on Wednesday, November 11, 2020 at St. Bridget Catholic Church in Postville, Iowa. There will be a Rosary at 9:30 am before the visitation at St. Bridget Catholic Church.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30 am on Wednesday, November 11, 2020 at St. Bridget Catholic Church in Postville, Iowa with Rev. Chris Podhajsky as the celebrant.

Due to Covid-19 we ask that everyone wear a mask and continue social distancing.

Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Postville, Iowa is helping the family with arrangements.

To visit the Schutte-Grau Funeral Homea and Cremation Service website click here.