Edwin Hubert Falkenstein

FITCHBURG-Edwin “Ed” Falkenstein died Friday, March 6, 2015, at Agrace HospiceCare, at the age of 88, after a short illness. Ed was born on May 17, 1926, in Madison, and grew up in the Atwood neighborhood, attending St. Bernard Catholic School and East High School. Upon his graduation in 1944, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving in the Pacific and seeing China and Korea before returning to Madison after the end of WWII. He took a job in the mail room at American Family Insurance. While working there, he met Mary Alice Kissane; they were married May 15, 1948. Later, he got in on the ground floor of computerized records when the company bought its first computer in the 1950s. Ed retired from American Family in 1986. He is survived by Mary Alice; his daughter Linda and son-in-law, Bill Lueders; and sister-in-law, Betty Smith, all of Madison. He is also survived by his brother George and sister-in-law Marlene Falkenstein of Milwaukee. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Delia; a brother, Francis; nephew, Dana Falkenstein; brother-in-law, Bob Smith; and niece, Kathryn Smith Cook. Ed enjoyed exploring and had a good sense of direction. Trips up north, out west, to Canada and the Gulf Coast of Alabama were among his favorites, but finding a shortcut from point A to point B right here in Dane County could also make his day. He loved his family and valued his friends and neighbors dearly. He had a great sense of humor and always had a story to tell. Friends are welcome to share memories and to celebrate Ed’s life at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL HOME, 2950 Chapel Valley Rd., Fitchburg, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2015. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park at a later date. The family thanks the staff at Agrace HospiceCare for their help and care. Memorials can be made to the Dane County Humane Society or Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Fitchburg Funeral & Cremation Care 2950 Chapel Valley Road (608) 442-5002