Obituary: Edward W. Fuss - Class of 1964

MADISON - Edward W. Fuss, age 68, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014, after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Ed was a lifelong Madison resident, born on June 10, 1946, to Alfred Fuss and Jeannette Fuss Schneider. Ed began working at his family-owned business, Ideal Vault Company, at a young age and eventually took on full ownership of the company, serving families at nearly every cemetery in Southern Wisconsin throughout his career. After selling the company, he became chief of operations for the Catholic Diocese cemeteries in Madison, Janesville and Beloit. Ed is survived by his partner and the love of his life, Jennifer Smith; two daughters, Amy Fuss of Little Rock, Ark., and Melissa (Michael) Brink of Salt Lake City, Utah; sister-in-law, Mary Fuss; grandchildren, Eli Brink, Meredith Foster and Wyatt Brink; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Jack Fuss and Russell Fuss; and sisters, Caroline (Al) Siclovan and Barbara Casey. Ed loved the outdoors and activities such as golf, hunting, fishing and gardening. He was past president of the Dane County Conservation League, and he led many projects and fundraisers to revitalize the group. He was also an avid softball player and umpire in the Madison recreational leagues. Most of all, Ed simply enjoyed spending time with friends, shooting the breeze, hoisting a beer and sharing a laugh or two. Always there with a big smile, helping hand and generous heart, he paid it forward long before doing so was trendy or unique - it was just who he was. A celebration of Ed's life will be held at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL HOME, 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014, at 2 p.m., with a time of sharing stories, and will continue with a time of toasting Ed until 4 p.m. Memorial donations will be put toward the Good Neighbor Trail, a multi-use, handicap accessible recreation trail that will be built in western Dane County. Ed and Jennifer truly appreciated the availability of such trails to allow Ed to still enjoy the outdoors after the disease limited his ability to hike, and they would like to expand such opportunities for others. Tax deductible donations should be made payable to Middleton Public Works Department, with a notation of "Ed Fuss Memorial."  

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on November 30, 2014. Submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968) 

Note: Ed Fuss's class year is based on information in the 1964 Tychoberah, where he is pictured amongst the graduating seniors.