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MADISON - Edward Greenleaf Young Jr., 85, of Madison, a man defined by quiet generosity, deep integrity, and a lifelong commitment to helping others, passed away on November 15, 2025, surrounded by the family he cherished, leaving behind a legacy of service, steadiness, and love.

Ed was born on November 17, 1939, in New Ulm, Minn., to Edward and Mabel Young, and grew up alongside his siblings Greg, Jim, and Sally.

As a child, Ed was an avid Boy Scout, ultimately earning the prestigious Eagle Scout award. Growing up in Minnesota, he embraced every season-snow skiing in winter, flooding the backyard each year to create an ice rink, and developing an early love for waterskiing, a passion he later shared with his children and grandchildren. His creativity and curiosity also led him to start a small photography business, Young Photo, complete with a darkroom he built himself so he could develop his own prints.

Ed graduated from Illinois College and later earned a graduate degree from the University of Illinois, preparing him for a long and respected career in finance and business. He also served his country in the United States Army during and after college.

On June 2, 1962, Ed married the love of his life, Nancy Fulton, beginning a 63-year partnership grounded in teamwork, humor, compassion, and shared purpose. Together they raised three children-Todd (Kate Young), Tim (Beatriz Palomino Young), and Toni (Chhem Young Pen)-and built a family life centered on connection, support, and adventure.

Ed’s professional career spanned several states and organizations, always in roles tied to finance, business operations, and strengthening the institutions he served. Over the years, he worked for GTE (General Telephone), the State of Wisconsin, Madison Gas & Electric, as an independent consultant, and finally at Bethel Lutheran Church, where he continued using his skills in service to the community. His work was consistently marked by reliability, fairness, and deep respect for colleagues.

For more than 40 years, Ed and Nancy made their home on Lake Monona, a place that became the heart of the Young family. There, they created a warm and welcoming haven for gatherings of every kind-summer days filled with waterskiing and sailing, family reunions, hosting foreign exchange students, celebrations in the boathouse, and their treasured Thanksgiving tradition, often welcoming up to 40 friends and family members each year.

One of Ed’s great qualities was his ability to build or fix just about anything. He always kept a “to-do” list, and when he visited his adult children, they inevitably had a list waiting for him at their homes as well. He even traveled with tools-just in case there was a job that needed doing.

Ed was a steadfast supporter of his children’s many year-round sporting events, showing up in every season and in every kind of weather. That devotion continued with his grandchildren, whom he adored: Alex, Erik, Rebecca, Soraya, Chenoa, Malia, Belén, and Andre.

Community service was woven into Ed’s identity. He served on the Monona Grove School Board, the Monona Grove Education Foundation Board, and the Oakwood Senior Living Board, offering his steady leadership and thoughtful guidance to institutions that enriched the community he loved. Ed was a Kiwanis member for more than 40 years. Ed and Nancy were valued members of Bethel Lutheran Church since 1993. In 2013, Ed and Nancy were honored with the Monona Mayoral Award in recognition of their extensive contributions to the city.

Perhaps most notably, Ed and Nancy were longtime Red Cross volunteers, providing disaster relief across the country. Ed supported communities affected by flooding in Wisconsin, the devastating tornado in Alabama in 2011, and most memorably, Superstorm Sandy, during which he helped operate a large shelter in Jersey City and ensured displaced families received warmth, food, and care. Their volunteer work was highlighted in a local feature story recognizing their willingness to step forward whenever others were in need.

Ed is survived by his wife, Nancy; his children and their spouses; his eight grandchildren; his brother, Jim Young (Kathy Steinberger); his sister, Sally Young; and his sister-in-law, Donna Young, wife of his late brother, Greg. He will be remembered for his kindness, humility, and unwavering commitment to family and community.

A memorial service will be held at BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 312 Wisconsin Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025. A visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to Agrace Hospice of Fitchburg (www.agrace.org/donate), the Monona Grove Education Foundation (www.supportmgef.org/givenow), or Downtown Madison Kiwanis - 1501 Lake Point Dr., Madison, WI 53713.

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

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Edward G. Young

November 17, 1939 - November 15, 2025

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