Madisen Lyn Theisen died at age 33 after years of fighting a disease that took everything from her but her smile.

Born November 25, 1991, Maddie was as bright and blonde as the sun when she was a child, the oldest of the three children of Lorie and Brian Theisen. She was a part of a generation of cousins born smack dab in the middle of an even larger clan of cousins, aunts, and uncles.

The family Christmas parties were so large they had to be held in the basement of Holy Name Catholic Church in Marcus, Iowa. A young Maddie led adventures across backyards and woods. They burrowed into the choir loft until their grandmother found them to scold them for "playing in God's house". On other occasions, they made teepees and forts, creating their own worlds as a family. She loved her dog; she loved summers at the family cabin.

Maddie was a dedicated sister. Whether they were playing yard games, Barbies, or creating dance routines, she always made sure everyone was included in the action. As the family grew, her devotion expanded to her nieces and nephew.

People followed her for her smile, a contagious grin that pulled in the people around her. She took that energy with her into high school in Le Mars, where she was a member of the Honor Society, excelled in academics, and ran Cross Country at a pace that took her to the state finals.

She went to Western Iowa Tech Community College to become a physical therapist assistant and took classes at the University of South Dakota. She followed her passion for art and assisted others in ceramics and other art projects at the Le Mars Art Center. She was also an active volunteer at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center, Park Place, Rejoice Community Church, the Le Mars Public Library, and the local elementary schools.

In 2010, she posted on social media, "Challenges are a part of your life. If you don't share it, you don't give the person who loves you a chance to love you enough …" When a cousin visited her at the hospital in Iowa City, she found Maddie still smiling, determined to win, to be independent. Despite her struggles, she always asked how others were doing.

She never stopped loving, and we think that's why she smiled.

Madisen is survived by her parents, Brian and Lorie Theisen; brother Andrew (Tori) Theisen and their children; Becca, Mayven, and Cade; sister Kenzie Theisen; and grandparents LeRoy and Pat Borchers.

Madisen is preceded in death by her grandparents, Elmer and Joan Theisen; step grandfather Joe Cronin; uncle Randy Theisen; aunts Denise Theisen and Gail Grzywa; and nephew Kaycen Theisen.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at All Saints Catholic Parish - St. Joseph Church in Le Mars. Father Doug Klein will celebrate Mass. Burial will follow at a later date. Visitation with the family present will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the church. Visitation will resume in Richter Hall immediately following the Funeral Mass. Arrangements are with the Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.mauerjohnsonfh.com.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials can be made to the Le Mars Public Library, Le Mars Art Center, and the Le Mars Y.M.C.A.