MADISON - John Rubert Steinhauer passed peacefully into the hands of his Lord and Savior on April 24, 2026, with family by his side. He was fully aware of his impending future but not deterred by its final consequence as he knew everlasting peace would replace all pain and suffering.

John was born on November 4, 1934, to Rubert Marinius Steinhauer and Olive Mae (Bruns) in Madison, Wis. The youngest of six, he grew up in Maple Bluff, a neighborhood he loved and cherished dearly. Following his graduation from Wisconsin High School in 1954, he attended the University of Wisconsin graduating with a degree in Business Administration. During the Korean Conflict, his studies were interrupted for a two-year tour of duty with the Army Security Agency.

Shortly after college, John moved his young family to Rockford, Ill., where he secured a management position with Sundstrand Aviation. After a short but successful career there, he moved the family back to Madison where he joined his brother, Fritz, in the operation of Madison Dairy Produce Company until 1983. With his ambitions still not completely satisfied, he left the dairy to form a start-up software company that he enjoyed until his retirement in 2002. John was a very intelligent and determined individual who was able to correct critical challenges and solve complex situations in his many fields of expertise.

His energy was unstoppable when it came to serving within local organizations and committees such as Goodwill Industries, Oakwood Lutherans Homes, Madison Rotary and many others helping to ensure their missions and goals were met.

John was also very involved within his places of worship. Throughout his entire life he served in many capacities on church council and other leadership roles. After attending both St. John’s and Lakeview American Lutheran churches of Madison in his earlier life, he then joined Bethel Lutheran Church where he met his wife, Cathy, in the Bethel choir.

In 2014, John and Cathy moved to the mountains in northeast Georgia, a place that was quite possibly the most beautiful in all of Appalachia. Nine years later, there was yet another move, to the city they loved, Madison, Wis. The card game of bridge was an important staple in their lives and they played often. This surely was an activity that helped keep his mind sharp as a tack until his final hours.

He is survived by his wife, Cathy; daughter, Deborah (George) Reed; sons, Gregg (Beth), David (Linda), Jerome (Sandy); stepdaughters, Katie (Chris) Glauser and Emily Kuester; grandchildren, Justin (Katie) Reed, Kendra (Chad) Gassner, Rhianna Reed, Seth (Emily) Steinhauer, Graham (Calla) Steinhauer, Jennifer (Jason) Fleener, Daniel (Kimberly) Steinhauer, June and Georgia Glauser; and many loving great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Mary Ellen (Stan) Christensen, Jeanette (Gene) Erickson and Shirley (Bill) Sundquist; brothers, Fritz (Nancie) and Harold (Betty); and son, John.

John left a lasting impression in and around the Madison area by giving of his time and talents and will be remembered for those contributions.

We would like to convey our sincere appreciation to the nursing staff at St. Mary’s Hospital for their care and compassion.

A memorial service will be held at BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 312 Wisconsin Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. A visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Music Ministry of Bethel Lutheran Church or the Bethel Lutheran Church Foundation. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

John R. Steinhauer

November 04, 1934 - April 24, 2026

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