Madlyn LaVohne Erdman, age 96, of  Rochester, MN died peacefully Friday, August 12 surrounded by her loving family.

Born June 23, 1920, in Alvord, Iowa, Madlyn was the daughter of Leo and Loretta O'Connor.  After graduating from Alvord High School, in 1938, she attended Western Union College where she successfully received her teaching credentials.  After receiving her teaching license Madlyn taught in a rural school in Lyon County, Iowa.  In 1942, she moved with her family to Iowa City, Iowa.  After further study at the University of Iowa she became a second grade teacher in Lisbon, Iowa.

In 1945, Madlyn and Staff Sergeant Bernard (Barney) W. Erdman were united in marriage at the post chapel in Fort Jackson, South Carolina.  Once Barney was discharged from the army they moved to Lisbon, Iowa where they began a family and both taught school.

In 1952, Madlyn, Barney and their three children, Michael, Molly and Prudence, moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  In the following years three more children were born: Kevin, Ellen and Elizabeth.  She and Barney raised their children in the family home on Blake Boulevard where they lived for fifty-three years.  Madlyn was a loving homemaker and devoted mother and wife.  She and Barney were married for sixty-four years.

Madlyn and Barney were fifty-year members of St. Mathews Catholic Church and long time members of the University of Iowa Alumni Association. Madlyn was a life-time member of the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary.  She enjoyed needlework, gardening, cooking and entertaining, especially her large family.

Madlyn is survived by her six children, Michael (Sheila) Erdman, Molly Martin, Prudence O'Connor, Kevin (Nancy) Erdman, Ellen (John) Huston and Elizabeth Friedenfeld; eighteen grandchildren, Sara, Michael, Elizabeth, Nathan, Paige, Colleen, Faith, Olivia, Hannah, Maddy, Kathryn, Beatrice, Henry, Emma, Will, Jake, Cooper, Eleanor and two great grandchildren, Sophia and Lilly.

Madlyn was preceded in death by her husband Barney, older sister Teresa, twin sister Margaret, their husbands Harold and Dick, one niece and her parents.

In lieu of flowers, the Erdman family requests memorials be sent to Seasons Hospice (Rochester, MN) or Mercy Hospital Foundation (Cedar Rapids, Iowa).