From the moment Brianne Nelsen arrived in Madison, Minnesota, she felt a strong connection to the community and way of life that reminded her of home. Originally from Fredonia, a small town in southeast Kansas, she had just graduated from college and accepted a position with Cargill that brought her to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. But it didn’t take long for her to realize she missed the sense of connection that small towns offer. “After about eight months, I realized I missed small town life,” Brianne shared. “Cargill moved me to Madison—and it has been home ever since.”
Now working as an Agricultural Banker at United Prairie Bank, Brianne has not only built a fulfilling career in Madison, but she’s also planted roots in the community. “I love this community, I love the area, and I found my forever person here as well,” she said. Brianne and her fiancé, Colton Arneson—originally from Granite Falls—are planning their wedding and have every intention of continuing to call Madison home. For them, it’s not just a place to live; it’s where they’ve built a life.
What makes Madison special, Brianne says, is the way the community shows up for each other. “Everyone is a phone call away,” she explained. “I can't tell you how many times I've just been able to call a friend or neighbor when I needed to borrow something, or had issues, or just needed a friend. Someone has always been there for me.” That sense of support and togetherness is one of the things she treasures most about small-town living.
In her role at the bank, Brianne gets to give back to that same community every day by helping people pursue their dreams—especially those tied to agriculture. “I enjoy the community involvement and helping customers find their passions and helping them get started and be successful,” she said. It’s a meaningful job that allows her to connect with the region’s hardworking residents and contribute to the growth and success of businesses and local farms, like the one she grew up on.
When they’re not working, Brianne and Colton take full advantage of everything the area has to offer. During the summer, you’ll often find them at the Madison or Montevideo race tracks, golfing at the Dawson or Madison courses, attending local cattle shows, or hiking around Lac qui Parle Lake. They also love checking out local restaurants—Detoy’s is a go-to spot in Madison—and grabbing coffee from Gnome Town Grounds in Dawson. “The Lac qui Parle County Park is always fun to explore, and the Madison Speedway is a must in the summer,” she added. “We also love going to the movies in Madison’s little theater—it’s such a fun, unique place.”
For a town its size, Madison has everything a person could need. “It’s a rural community that has accommodations that a town slightly larger would have,” Brianne said. “Restaurants, hospital, clinic, retirement housing, good homes, caring people, a movie theater, coffee place, grocery store, pool, baseball fields, an elementary school, and daycare.” She also appreciates how convenient the location is—close to larger towns, but surrounded by outdoor adventure and natural beauty.
When asked to describe life in western Minnesota in one word, Brianne doesn’t hesitate: “Peaceful.” And for those thinking about making a move to the area, she offers this heartfelt message: “I can't say enough about the people in this rural area—so welcoming and loving and genuine. We may be a small area, but we have big hearts, and there’s so much to do in a small area. I truly love it!”