Esther Madsen
Esther “Pepper” Ruth Madsen, 90, passed away peacefully Sunday, April 13th, 2025, with her son, Dan, holding her hand.
A funeral service will be held Friday, May 9th, at 11am at the Little Ivy Chapel, Fairmount Cemetery, 430 South Quebec St., Denver, Colorado 80247.
Pepper was born November 19, 1934, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the youngest of five children by Michael and Elizabeth Briola. Pepper’s family eventually moved to Denver, Colorado, where she met her future husband, Max, when they were both young children and neighbors. She graduated from South High School.
Max joined the Navy in 1950 and served four years during the Korean War. Upon his return, he became reacquainted with the “little neighbor girl” he had known since they were small children. Max was destined to be her lifelong love. Pepper was fond of telling the story that when Max returned from the Navy and first saw her on the blind date arranged by her brother, Fred, he said in surprise, “You’re not the same little knock-kneed, pigtailed girl I used to know!” Max knew a good thing when he saw it and proposed to Pepper only a few weeks after that first date. They were married on November 4, 1955, in Denver. The family eventually moved and built a home in Aurora, Colorado. For 68 years they were by each other’s side until Max passed away in September of 2022, making their home in Aurora, having raised their two sons Chris and Dan there.
Pepper loved children and after raising her sons until they were able to take care of themselves, she went to work at Elkhart Elementary as a paraprofessional supporting many teachers who loved working with her (as did the kids). The school was just a few houses up from where she lived on Evanston Street in Aurora. She worked there while being a mom to Chris and Dan and supported their interests and activities until she retired. After retirement, Pepper volunteered in the gift shop at Aurora North Hospital.
Pepper always put her family first, ensuring that her children and grandchildren (who were the most important things in her life) were always safe and happy. She was an amazing cook and enjoyed making delicious food for her family. She loved to make Christmas cookies each year and her Italian Pizzelle cookies were always a hit with family and friends. She and Max loved throwing family reunions in their backyard on Ouray Way for both sides of the family. Her sons remember her as a loving, amazing and selfless mother – always there with supportive love and help especially with her son Dan when he went through multiple surgeries as a child spending most nights with him in the hospital. Pepper gave everyone a helping hand and encouragement.
Pepper loved God and would read daily in her bible and Billy Graham books. She cherished her church, Aurora First Presbyterian, and singing in the choir. She was a loving and appreciative wife to her husband of 68 years. Pepper loved her sweets and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, planting flowers, watching the Denver Broncos, and the gospel music group, the Gaithers on TBN. Her family feels blessed that they were given the gift of 90 years with her on this planet.
Pepper was preceded in death by her husband Max, and sisters Lee, Doris, Frankie and brother Bob as well as her parents Michael and Elizabeth Briola. She is survived by her sons Chris of Portland, Oregon and Dan of Aurora, Colorado along with their wives Michelle and Karen as well as brother Fred Briola and his wife Norma of Denver. She has four grandchildren to carry on her legacy and treasured memories – Kellen, Lindsey and Nathan of Portland, Oregon and Hayes of Westminster, Colorado.
Pepper’s love and devotion for her beloved husband and her children and grandchildren (and little “therapy dog” Yoda) will be her legacy that lives on forever.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Samaritan’s Purse or a charity of your choice.