Madeline Grace “Maddie” Aasbo: A Life Lived Bold and Brave
Affectionately called “Maddie” or “Maddog” by those closest to her, at only 22, Maddie had already lived a hundred lives it seems. She grew up on a hunting ranch in Catarina, Texas, competed in all rodeo events growing up, served as the Texas High School Rodeo Association’s Region VIII vice president and as a high school senior, skillfully earned the Texas High School Rodeo Association’s Light Rifle state title. More recently, Maddie helped out in the family’s ranch services business and could often be found driving skid steers and mulching equipment.
Maddie was bold and brave, strong and fierce, and her independence had taken her places many only daydream about.
Radio-collar, black bear, den research and studies in Maine, deer captures in South Texas, guiding elk hunts in New Mexico, flying rice fields in East Texas, deep sea fishing in Florida, spear-fishing for lobster in the Bahamas, snow boarding Colorado and bungee jumping in Oregon, are only a few of Maddie’s notable adventures that signified her thirst for living life in the most adventurous way.
A caretaker at heart, Maddie was a leader at Southwest Texas College in both the rodeo and Wildlife Management programs in Uvalde, TX. She was a pivotal member of the Southwest Texas College rodeo team from 2022-2024, successfully competing in goat tying, and ran for the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s Southern Region Student Director. She graduated from the Wildlife Management program at Southwest Texas College with honors in 2024, worked for many large hunting ranches in south Texas and ventured all over the country to enjoy her passion of hunting and all things wildlife related.
Maddie’s most recent quest took her to McMinnville, Oregon at Jerry Trimble Helicopters where she pursued and mastered her latest adventure of flying. Maddie had found ultimate freedom in the air as a helicopter pilot and instructor before a devastating midair collision took her budding life on October 29, 2026.
While in Oregon, it is no surprise that Maddie completed commercial pilot, commercial flight instructor and commercial instructor instruments licenses with record precision and in record time according to the school’s owners and instructors.
She lived a life marked by adventure, strength, generosity, and an enduring love of people—especially her friends, teammates and family, who all unequivocally adored her.
With the purest heart, Maddie was a true believer and spiritually wise beyond her years. It was not uncommon to find Maddie sharing her faith with others and leading many to the cross—and once she did you can be sure she would hold your feet to the fire in the most inspiring and loving way.
The picture of grace and class, Maddie carried herself with a confidence that was unmistakably her own, and her presence was felt wherever she went—trademarked by her long and gorgeous hair, often in her signature braid, well past her belt that always carried her pocket knife and proudly revealed her name—“Maddie”. She was an original. One of a kind, and genuine to her core.
Maddie’s sudden passing leaves us equally stunned and heartbroken, and it is beyond difficult to find the words worthy of a young woman of her caliber and impact-fulness. Even more difficult is to imagine or comprehend a world without Maddie in it, but if she were here she would be the one to inspire us all to keep living the way she did—bold and brave.
Maddie is survived by parents, Tom and Tracey; sister Annika Belicek and spouse Trenton, of Uvalde, TX; maternal grandmother Bonnie Ericson of Blenheim, NY; aunt Karen Chichester and spouse Stephen of Burlington, NC and Michael, Liz and Isla Roe of Dudley, NC; uncle Curtis Ericson and spouse Shannon of Hawthorne, FL and preceded in death by paternal grandparents Eigil and Kerstin Aasbo; and maternal grandfather George Ericson.
A celebration of a life well lived will be held Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 6:00 pm at the William R. Mitchell Uvalde County Fairplex at 215 Veterans Lane, Uvalde, TX 78801.
The family extends its heartfelt appreciation for the tremendous outpouring of kindness, love, compassion and unwavering support from all those who Maddie positively impacted in her short, but monumental life.
In lieu of flowers, Maddie’s family requests donations be made in her memory and honor to:
Southwest Texas College Rodeo at 2401 Garner Field Rd., Uvalde, TX 78801.