Ivey Vonderharr, a 88, of Madison died November 19, 2022, at St. Cloud Hospital.
 The service will be on Saturday, November 26, 2022, at 11 a.m. at St. Michael’s Church in Madison. Reviewal will also be at the church one hour before the funeral service. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
 Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, November 25 at St. Michael’s Church.
 Ivey was born on October 14, 1934 at Fergus Falls to Berge and Agnes Simonson. She was baptized Ida Henrietta Simonson at Eidskog Lutheran Church. When she was 1 year and 10 months old her father died. Because her mother was hospitalized and unable to care for her, she was adopted by John and Selma Ecklund. Her name then changed to Ivey Joy Ecklund. She grew up in Bellingham, was confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church and graduated from Bellingham High School in 1952.
 She married Leo James Vonderharr on May 12, 1953, at St. Michael’s Church in Madison. In 1957 they moved to their home on Western Avenue in Madison and raised seven children there.
 In 1969 Ivey went to work at Madison Elementary School as a title I aid and library assistant. She was the elementary librarian for 26 years. After she retired from the school in 1995, she became a Lac qui Parle County Commissioner. She served on many committees and boards while serving as a county commissioner for 13 years. She was a staunch advocate for our senior citizens. She was proud to be a part of getting Madison declared as a “Senior Citizen Friendly Community”. She was instrumental in getting the Madison Senior Citizen Center started and getting handicap ramps in Madison before it became law.
 Ivey was a member of many organizations and served as President or Chairman of many community programs and projects including the West Central MN Reading Association, MN Valley Region Senior Federation and state advisory board, Sons of Norway, Madison Senior Citizens, Mrs. Jaycees, Business and Professional Women, Lac qui Parle Health Care Auxiliary, Lac qui Parle County Historical Society, Lac Qui Parle Historical Museum Board, County DFL, Madison Public Library Board, West Tri County Community Action Board, Fare SHARE, SAIL, Lac qui Parle County March of Dimes, Madison Blood Bank Canteen, Madison Community Fund, Guardian Ad Litem (Court Appointed) and Madison Centennial Committee. She was very active in veterans organizations as president of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 158 (23 times), president and life member of VFW Auxiliary 1656, 5th District VFW Auxiliary president 1992-1993 and 2016-2017, life member of DAV Auxiliary chapter #24 and 40 & 8 Cabane member.
 She was active at St. Michael’s church, serving as secretary on the church council, church centennial chairman, Christian Mothers, Narcissus (PTA) and church lector for 20 years.
 She received the Madison Outstanding Citizen award in 1993. She received many district, state and national awards in the American Legion Auxiliary and VFW Auxiliary. Ivey was known as the “Flag Lady” for her constant promotion of proper flag etiquette. She had fun serving as “Ms Lutefisk” since 1974.
 She was chairman of the Vonderharr family reunions and wrote the family history in 1991, revising it in 2001 and 2011. She organized the Bellingham Kids group and enjoyed their yearly breakfast reunions. Ivey enjoyed cooking, canning, reading, auction sales, collecting books, book ends, book markers and traveling. Besides raising seven children of her own, Ivey opened her home and did foster care for several children. After retiring, she volunteered as a driver for senior citizens.  Ivey is survived by her children, David Vonderharr of St. Peter, Dennis (Jan) Vonderharr of Madison, Dale (Cheryl) Vonderharr of Eufaula, Ala., Doug (Lori) Vonderharr of Gifford, Ill., Rebecca Skallerud of Madison and Julie (Brian) Asmus of Willmar; 16 grandchildren, Rachel (Michael) Bliss, Stacie Vonderharr, Jennifer Vonderharr, Christine (Scott) Zilmer, Ryan (Amanda) Vonderharr, Thalia Frett, Jeffrey (Kimberly) Vonderharr, Erin (Leah) Vonderharr, Amanda Vonderharr, David Freese, AJ Skallerud, Joseph (Lesley) Skallerud, Nicole Skallerud, Stephanie (Andrew) Carlson, Timothy Asmus and Katie Eelma; and 26 great-grandchildren. In 2011, Ivey was reunited with a daughter she had placed for adoption in 1952. Jean Eelma lives in Hudson, Wis. with her husband Sven, daughter and granddaughter. Ivey is also survived by her brother Selmer Simonson of Minnetonka and Green Valley, Ariz., over 80 nieces and nephews, special friends Betty Dienger and Angie Strater.
 She was preceded in death by both sets of parents, brothers Berge Simonson and Jesse Ecklund, sister Arlene Wellendorf, her husband Leo, son Leo, Jr, and grandson Malicki Frett.
 Arrangements by the Zahrbock Funeral Home, Madison.
 Website: zahrbockfuneralhome.com.