LODI / LAKE WISCONSIN / BROOKFIELD - Edward W. “Ed” Hastreiter, 76, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 7, 2025, in Sauk City, Wis. Ed was born in Marshfield, Wis., on December 17, 1948, to parents, Geraldine M. (Cafferty) and Frank J. Hastreiter, who preceded Ed in death.

Ed graduated from Columbus High School in Marshfield in 1967. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1968 and served as an infantryman in Vietnam from 1969-1970. Ed rose to the rank of Sergeant, was awarded a Purple Heart for injuries he sustained in 1969, and later returned to duty in the field to serve out his tour. After his discharge from the Army, thanks to the GI Bill, Ed earned a bachelor’s degree with honors in accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, followed by a CPA license.

Ed met Ann A. Klink, his partner in life, at The End Zone in Oshkosh. Ed and Ann married on August 19, 1978, and enjoyed 44 years of marriage until Ann’s death in May 2023. They lived a full life with their children, Joseph and Marie. Love for travel, the Packers, Fleetwood Mac, the Rolling Stones, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the water, boating and fishing took the four of them to many memorable destinations.

In 1979, Ed and Ann started their small business accounting firm. Under his vision and leadership for over 45 years, EWH Small Business Accounting grew to be the largest small business accounting practice of its kind in the nation and remains one of the largest practices in the Professional Association of Small Business Accountants (PASBA). Throughout his career, Ed nurtured relationships and provided services to over 2,000 small businesses and became a sought-after speaker on diverse business topics. He possessed a unique combination of business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit, including an uncanny ability to see the big picture and smallest detail. He always had wisdom, a story to share, and an ear to listen.

Additionally, inspired by the poem “The Dash,” Ed’s True North was “living his dash” to positively impact the world. Whether in his personal or professional life, he led with the belief that everyone had potential and deserved a second chance. Ed was especially proud of the fundraising work he did for his Columbus High School alma mater in recent years, serving as a leading fundraising Class Captain, as well as the recognition EWH Accounting received multiple times as a “Best Places to Work” in the greater Milwaukee area.

Ed will be remembered for his soft heart, endless generosity, support of the underdog, mischievous spirit and grin, dry humor, attentiveness to the news and world events, and love of music, his dog, geranium flower boxes, cherry pie, and ice cream cones.

Ed is survived by his children, Joseph Frank Hastreiter and Marie Therese Hastreiter (Dan) Soltman; his firstborn granddaughter, Mia Ann Soltman, born on July 3, 2025; his sisters, Trudy (Jerry) Duffrin and Margaret (Steve) Diesso; his brother, Fritz (Lynn Wimer); nieces and nephews; extended Hastreiter and Klink family members; and his beloved dog, Bubba. His sisters, Genevieve (Genny) and Katherine (Katie) preceded him in death.

The family is deeply grateful to Marie Yates for her outstanding caregiving and support to Ed and the family for many years; to the medical professionals who provided compassionate care through UW Carbone Cancer Center and Hospital, Sauk Prairie Health Care, and Agrace HospiceCare.

A Celebration of Life honoring Ed will be held at THE EAST SIDE CLUB, 3735 Monona Dr. Madison, Friday, September 19, 2025, from 12 noon to 3 pm, with sharing of memories at 12:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Ed’s honor to Groundswell Conservancy, Clean Wisconsin, and Columbus High School in Marshfield, Wisconsin.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Lodi

Funeral & Cremation Care

157 W. Main St.

(608) 592-3201

Edward W. "Ed" Hastreiter

December 17, 1948 - July 07, 2025

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