Edward William Fuss
June 10, 1946 - November 22, 2014
Obituary
Fuss, Edward W.
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 who 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 Rd., Fitchburg, at 2 p.m., on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014, beginning with a time of sharing stories which will continue with a social time of Toasts to 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 & 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 Lands Dept., with a notation of "Ed Fuss Memorial." Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Fitchburg
Funeral & Cremation Care
2950 Chapel Valley Rd
(608) 442-5002
Events
Celebration of Life
Sat Dec 6, 2014 @ 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Fitchburg • 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, WI 53711
Photos
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Memories
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Karen
Other •
Ed was one of the most kindest, sweetest, warm-hearted, and funniest person I know! He would stop over every Wednesday to visit with me. He ALWAYS made me laugh. The world lost a true sweetheart. I saw him decline over the past few years and it broke my heart to see that. If I could have switched places with him, I would have...he was a one-of-a kind classy guy who would do anything in the world for anyone...that was just who he was. I am going to miss him dearly. Jennifer know that he adored you!! He would light up when he would talk about you! I know your heart is broken and my thoughts & prayers are with you!! I look forward to celebrating my buddy's life! Godspeed, Eddie & know you were so loved and will be missed EACH & EVERY day!!! Karen Thompson (Forest Hill Cemetery)
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Irma Slawson
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So many wonderful memories made working with "Special" Ed as we often teased him. And SPECIAL is what he truly was. He never missed a birthday or holiday and liked to spoil us girls in the office with cards, treats and trinkets. He and I loved to argue politics and did just that on many occasions. He was a gentle man, with a huge heart, friend to all. I am grateful for the years I had Ed in my life and that I had the privilege to call him my friend. Love and Miss you Ed, but find solace that you are now "upon the wind of heavens love"...Irma
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dick zillman
Other •
Ed and I grew up along the railroad tracks in “lower Shorewood Hills” and formed a fast friendship (I was faster, he bigger). He never failed to tell me he lived on the wrong side of the tracks, and he did, by about a block. Some of my best childhood memories have Ed all over them. In our mid-teens, in summer, Ed would drag an Ideal Vault to a small cemetery. We’d watch him set up, lounge back among the monuments, smoke cigs, talk sports, girls and smack, to while away the funeral. Sometimes we’d go silent for a while content to be among friends and then Ed would crack wise and crack us up. In fall, we’d go hunting around Dane County, intending to shoot squirrels, but often being skunked. So we’d turn to chickadees, who played fair and never hide behind branches. One hunt we had brother Jack’s car and were so proud of our shooting skills, we carefully laid our half dozen piles of feet and feathers in Jack’s trunk intending, I think, to show them off. A week or so later, Ed tells us Jack figured out the smell when he opened the trunk. He was not amused. During the “Glory Years TM”, we’d spend Sundays in Ma’s living room watching GB kick Lion butts. It was the beginning of a lifelong recurring nightmare akin to Lucy yanking away the football. We were all there glued to the TV, tearing up, November 24 and 25, 1963. Took some of the bite off of it.
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Shirley Hilgers
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Enjoyed many get togethers when we were in high school but lost track over the years. It was nice to see him at our 50th reunion. Our condolences to his family and friends. Heaven has gained another star. Shirley and Dave Hilgers
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Kevin Sorensen
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It was so great to get to know Ed over the last 10 years. He had the greatest sense of humor ever! Not many could laugh at himself as readily as others. We always knew you really cared about others and would do anything for them. Ed taught me a lot about the cemetery business, but even more about the business of people and their feelings. Ed, wish I could be there for you on Saturday, but there will be many that you had such a positive impact on, it will be a true reflection of your lasting memory! Kevin Sorensen
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Sue Reget
Other •
Sue Reget
I knew Ed for a few years when I was a worked at James J. Chocolates. Ed would come in so often for small boxes of chocolates for his friends. He was so affable and easy to make happy. He smiled often and seemed to be in a happy mood regardless, even when he struggled with his illness. My sincerest condolences to his entire family and friends who loved him.