Obituary of Madeline B. Fjelstad

Madeline B. Fjelstad passed away on January 13, 2017. She was the loving wife of Edward, who preceded her in death, and the cherished mother of Michael, Diane, Karen and son-in-law, Charles Smith. Madeline was the loving and indulgent grandmother of Erika King, Christy and Toby Fjelstad, and Tiffany Ureda. Madeline was preceded in death by her sisters, Lorene Zimmerman and Carolyn Sutton, and is survived by siblings Maxine Taylor, Benjamin and James Yates, and Marilyn Hargrove. Madeline was born in Kansas on May 27, 1927, the daughter of farmers Benjamin Yates and Flossie Williams. At the age of 14 she and her family moved to California where her first job was working in agricultural fields. She was a remarkable woman who attained the American Dream through rural values of an ironclad work ethic, devotion to family, and a stout moral compass. Throughout her life she identified with and had a deep compassion for those less fortunate than her. The Grapes of Wrath was her favorite book. Madeline met Edward Fjelstad, a lieutenant pilot in the Navy, at a dance in the Officer's Club. He was her best friend and the love of her life and they were married for 59 years. Together, they raised three children in San Jose. Madeline had a strong sense of civic responsibility. She was an active member of the PTA when her children were young and she was superintendent of her church's Sunday school. She supported the United Farm Workers with food and clothing drives then her interests expanded to the Civil Rights Movement and the Women's Movement. In the 1960s she marched ten miles with her family to protest the war in Vietnam. Later in life Madeline was involved in the American Association of University Women, and from 1990 to 1992 she was president of the Santa Cruz Symphony League. She was also a supporter of the Homeless Family Shelter. At the age of 36, Madeline decided to further her education. She studied at San Jose and San Francisco State Universities, earning a Masters Degree in Social Work. She had a rewarding and personally enriching career as a licensed clinical social worker with Santa Clara County Health Department where as an administrator, she developed alcohol treatment programs. After retirement Madeline traveled the world with Edward, and they spent a great deal of time in Lake Tahoe and Kauai. They joined the Sea and Tree Dance Club and the Santa Cruz Yacht Club, attended the Santa Cruz Symphony performances and galas, and played bridge with several local groups. Madeline continued to attend the symphony and play bridge with her friends after Edward's death, activities that were an important source of sustenance in her later years. The family wishes to thank all the loving caregivers of Lifespan, Inc. who assisted Madeline in her home, and all the doctors, nurses and staff at Dominican Hospital for their care and dedication. Madeline was a loving, elegant and compassionate woman who lived a full and rich life. A celebration of her life will be held Tuesday, January 31 at 11:00 a.m. at Santa Cruz Memorial Oakwood Cystal Chapel, 3301 Paul Sweet Rd., in Santa Cruz. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Santa Cruz Symphony Association, 200 7th Ave., Suite 225, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 or to the Family Homeless Shelter, C/O Homeless Services Center, 115 Coral St. Santa Cruz, CA 95060.