Madeline Veronica Ashton, 75

Madeline Veronica Ashton, age 75, of Austin, died early Friday morning, May 23, 2003, at her home after a long illness. She was surrounded by the loving care of her husband, William and her children, Colleen, James, Steven, William and Robert with the medical staff team support of Hospice Home Health Care.

Madeline was born June 18, 1927, in Cresco, Iowa, to Thomas J. and Goldie (Moore) Murphy. She attended grade school at Queen of Angels Catholic School and graduated from Austin High School in 1946. She was a former Miss Austin Pageant candidate.

Madeline was united in marriage to William J. Ashton at Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Austin. She was employed by the Hormel Company, in 1945, she worked in the Fresh Sausage, Dry Sausage and Flavor Seal Departments, retiring in 1987 after 41 years of service. She later became a Sales Associate for Lundberg's Women's Apparel for eight years through to 2001.

An active homemaker, Madeline enjoyed cooking, baking, cleaning house, knitting, crocheting, shopping, dancing with her partner of 53 years, husband, Bill, going to grandchildrens activities, traveling abroad with her husband and daughter, Colleen of Houston, Texas. She was a member of the "Sweet Adelines", ladies choral group, and a choir member of Queen of Angels Catholic Church. She also served in the Color Guard of the Elks Club Ladies Auxiliary of the Does.

She maintained her health and activity despite her 17 year struggle with her illness.

Survivors include her husband, William Ashton, Austin; daughter, Colleen Ashton (Tom) Mckinney, Houston, Texas; sons: James (Nanette) Ashton, Eagan, Steven (Deloris) Ashton, Blooming Prairie, William (Pamela) Ashton, Burnsville, Dr. Robert (Susan) Ashton, Eagan; 13 grandchildren; brother, Joseph T. (Audrey) Murphy, Austin; sister, Rosemary (Max) Crowley, Austin; aunt, Viola (Moore) Denelsbeck, Minnetonka; nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass will be celebrated 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2003, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Father William Becker and Father Paul Nelson officiating. There will be a 4 p.m. wake service and a 4:45 p.m. CCW rosary on Tuesday at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. and also from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Rochester.

The pianist will be Shirley Cahill, the cantor will be Erin Schumacher, the psalmist/soloist will be Colleen Ashton-McKinney, the lectors will be Ryan Ashton and Susan Ashton, the communion gift bearers will be Maria and Jenna Ashton, the family crucifix bearer will be Alec Ashton, Mary's altar flowers will be brought up by Torrie Ashton and the casket bearers will be Ryan Ashton, Tyler Ashton, Derek Ashton, Brennan Ashton, Ian Ashton and Justin Ashton.