West Branch, Iowa Madeline Lucille Espensen, 94, died Friday, June 10, 2016, at Crestview Care Center in West Branch. Memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at 5:30 PM at the Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Branch with visitation from 3 until 5:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the West Branch Fire Department and Crestview Care Center. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hendersonbarkerfuneralhome.com. Madeline was born October 7, 1921 in West Branch, the daughter of Rollo and Alice (Gruwell)Crew. She was educated in the West Branch school system. She was married to Herbert Leth Espensen on December 8, 1942. She is survived by three loving children, Susan Wargo and special friend, Jerry Agne, of Tipton, Henry (Hank) Espensen(Maureen) of Elgin, Illinois, and Brian Espensen (Janet), of West Branch; six grandchildren, Bradley Wargo (Barb) of West Branch, Melinda Wargo and fiancée Paul Lacey of Spokane, Washington. Cory Espensen (Joscelyn) of Rockford, IL. Aaron Espensen(Reagan) of Richmond, VA. Linzee and Peter Espensen of West Branch. Two step grandchildren, Mike Garst and Amy Garst, four great-grandchildren, Hunter and Jonathan Wargo(Bradley) and Anthony and Dominic Espensen(Cory); two step-great-grandchildren, Gavin and Sloan Garst (Mike). One brother, Clarence Crew and one sister, Vernetta Ruzek. She was preceded in death by her Husband Herbert, her parents, three brothers: Fred, Fritz, and Floyd Allen, one sister: Betty, and son-in-law John Wargo. Madeline was a lifelong rural resident of West Branch where she and Herb farmed south of town. In her younger years, she worked as a Secretary in the West Branch school system. She was a devoted member of the Order of the Eastern Star, a volunteer and member of the board of directors for Crestview Care Center in West Branch. She delivered “Meals on Wheels” for many years. She was a member of the West Branch Friends Church, an active participant in Friends Women, Springdale Women’s Club and one of the best cooks in Eastern Iowa. In addition to her participation in the farming operation, Madeline was an integral part of the family Pioneer seed business. She was also a Rural Mail Carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for many years. Madeline loved to travel, particularly when the trip accompanied the University of Iowa Women’s Basketball team. Madeline and Herb were avid boosters of the team and traveled with them during the season to various basketball venues across the United States. On one occasion, Madeline accompanied the team to Japan. She also visited Hawaii, Denmark, Tahiti, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. Herb was a state officer in the Masonic Lodge and they travelled together extensively throughout Iowa, making many, many friends from one corner of the state to the other. With her sweet demeanor and unassuming personality, Madeline was widely loved and respected.