Lawrence H. Mader, Jr. (Larry), 86, of Madison passed away unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, May 17th, 2026. Funeral services will begin at 1:00pm on Friday, May 29th at St. Peter on the Prairie Lutheran Church in Orland. Visitation with family present will begin one hour prior to the service.
Larry was born March 12, 1940, on the back of a wagon in a blizzard, enroute to Junius, SD. He frequently joked that his birth changed the population of Junius from six people to seven people. He was born to Lawrence Sr. and Irma (Boldt) Mader, who farmed near Orland. He attended Orland High School and after graduation went on to further his education at SDSU, majoring in mechanical engineering. His childhood was sprinkled with funny stories about walking uphill both ways to school, chasing his brother Jack and his Uncle Dick across farm fields, excelling in school, playing basketball, and working in the shop with his dad.
Larry was an inventor and engineer who could fix anything. He had an unmatched mind for creativity and innovation. A lifelong inventor, he is credited with U.S. Patent No. 3,646,375 “Motorized Potentiometer with Overload Clutch and Interchangeable Gear Ratio”, which he filed while working at Dale Electronics in 1972. This creative invention is described as a motor-driven adjustable resistor system incorporating an overload clutch and adaptable gearing, designed to improve precision and reliability in electronic control systems. He frequently boasted that this technology made it all the way to the moon, as NASA has utilized the technology.
He also designed the taillights incorporated in the 1967 Pontiac Tempest and the 1967 Pontiac LeMans automobiles while working at General Motors.
Larry’s lesser known but no less important creations included “shovel crows” that he frequently gifted to family members.
After several years working across the country as an engineer, Larry decided to return to his roots and moved back to Madison. He served the community and local farmers with lawn mower repair, ironwork, and farm equipment servicing, his favorite being Farmall tractors.
Larry hand built the shop that he lived in with alongside his sons, who vividly remember nailing in the ceiling under Larry’s careful supervision. His shop was home to many stray kittens that he found behind his building and all-around Madison. Two of his notable kitten rescues were Tommy and Bowser.
Those who knew Larry will remember him as someone who quietly contributed to the world around him and maintained a quiet, dry sense of humor. He was deeply proud of his children and grandchildren, who he taught to fish, to fix, to drive stick shift, to think creatively, and to work hard.
Larry is survived by: his sons, Douglas (Kathryn Dahlman) Mader of Broomfield, CO, Ronald Mader of Las Vegas, NV and Robert (Leslie) Mader of Marshfield, WI; grandchildren, Megan (Will Stover) Mader, Matthew Mader, Erin (Adam Budzinski) Mader and Bethany (Wyatt Gibb) Mader; great-grandchildren, Henry and Elisabeth Stover; brothers, Jim (Connie) Mader and Lyle (Karen) Mader; sister-in-law, Bev Mader, ex-wife Susan Mader, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Jack, and his uncle, Richard “Dick” Boldt, who was like a brother to him.
The family would like to extend special thanks to Lyle and Karen Mader for all the love, care, and support they have graciously given Larry, especially over the course of the last few years. They would also like to thank Kore Cares’ caregiving staff, especially Lisa, and 60’s Plus Dining, especially Amy.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made to Happily Ever After Animal Sanctuary, where his granddaughter, Erin Mader, volunteers, at Happily Ever After Animal Sanctuary – Donation in Memory of Larry Mader.
The Kinzley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
