Madalene Munford

Madalene Munford, 77, of St. George, Utah, passed away on April 17, 2026.

Born on April 12, 1949, in Richfield, Utah, to Jean Allen Ipson and Hyrum Madsen Ipson, combining parts of both names to create her own. She humbly lived her younger years in Junction, Richfield, and Dixie’s red dirt of Saint George.

Madalene was sealed to Larry Munford on June 20, 1980, in the LDS St. George Temple. Their marriage blended together as sisters Tina, Kathy, and Martha Rae (who passed away shortly after birth to Gwen and Larry) with Kimberli. After the girls’ tragic loss of their mother (Gwen) and within a year’s time, Madalene brought her daughter, Kimberli, to be sealed and adopted by Larry creating a loving “yours, mine, and ours” family home in Las Vegas Nevada. Their union soon brought even more “pink” with the arrival of Mary and they were especially excited to finally welcome a son, William, who completed the family.

Madalene proudly graduated from Dixie High School and continuing her education as a cougar at BYU, obtaining a double Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and Child Development & Family Relationships (with a minor in Drama) in 1972. Her early teaching years in Special Education were spent in Mesa, AZ and later in Saint George, UT at East Elementary. She also proudly homeschooled 3 of her own children along with other children in the community for many years. Even in her later part of life she continued teaching online, being passionate to advance her teaching career.

Madalene spent all her years in dedicated service to her faith, family, friends, and country. Some of her favorite church callings were Sister Friendly, Children’s Choir director, Compassionate Service leader and serving with Larry within the temple kitchen. Her hands tirelessly made bread, cinnamon rolls, french fries, and other confectionary treats to name a few. She loved helping and feeding numerous missionaries to ease their longing of their own family. Canning, sewing, and creating a warm, loving home was always paramount to her sense of well being. Many of her grandchildren are beneficiaries of her personal, hand-stitched quilts for their blessings, baptisms, and weddings. She enjoyed making personalized birthday cards, slide shows, and other treasures gifted in love. You were never a stranger in her home. Madalene and Larry always excepted extras living in their Vegas home who were at various cross roads of life.

She is lovingly survived by children: Tina Allgaier (late Jonathan), Kathlyn Sanders (Joe), Kimberli Munford, Mary Medsker (Dave) and William Munford (Laura); grandchildren: Tyler Allgaier, Christopher Sanders, Spencer Allgaier (Izzy), Noah Sanders, Merritt Medsker, Makayla Zufelt (Gavin), Garrett Allgaier (Olivia), Kristyn Allgaier, Ezekiel Sanders, Madsen Leavitt, Kelsey Leavitt, Liam Munford, Israel Medsker, Enoch Munford & Barrett Medsker; great grandchildren: James Allgaier, Charlotte Sanders-(Haylee) & Alexa Allgaier; sister: Carol Jean Nobis (Richard); brothers: Hyrum Ipson (Debbie), Ross Ipson (Cheryl) and sister in law Debbie Ipson (Donald) She is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends who kept her spirits high and filled her life with love.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Larry, her parents, her stillborn sister Thora Ann, her brother Donald Ipson, and her nephews, Micheal Nobis and Gregory Ipson.

Madalene’s celebration of life will be Saturday May 2nd at 1pm at the LDS chapel located at 820 N Valley View Dr St. George UT 84770.