Howard F Gundlach

MADISON - Howard Francis Gundlach took flight on his final migration Monday, April 27, 2026, at his home in Madison. Howard was the fifth child born to John and Esther (Luther) Gundlach in their home in Evansville, WI.

His family moved to Madison in 1952. Howard attended Saint Raphael Grade School followed by Edgewood High School, where he played football and graduated in 1960. He went on to study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Soil Science. While attending high school and college he worked at Resurrection Cemetery in Madison.

After graduating from UW-Madison, Howard made a career of boot-stomping across the Wisconsin landscape to dig holes and document soils. He began work as a Soil Scientist with USDA’s Soil Conservation Service (later re-named the Natural Resources Conservation Service) in Janesville in 1967.

Shortly after, Howard married his first wife, Linda Noble. After three years stationed in Janesville, soils work brought him and Linda to Green Lake, where they welcomed his first son, Alan, to the world. Three years later they were on the move again, this time to Baraboo, where Howard completed management classes and was promoted to party leader for the Sauk County Soil Survey.

Howard was stationed next in Shawano, where he met and married his second wife, Susan (Beauchaine). Again, on the move, the next soil survey project brought them to Mauston in 1980. Over the next few years, they welcomed two more boys, Adam and David, to the dinner table. When offered a promotion to the State Office in Madison, Howard seized it and in 1986 the family returned to Madison where most of his siblings lived.

After a 40-year career documenting soils across the state, Howard hung up his boots and sharp-shooter spade with his retirement at the end of 2006, which Governor Jim Doyle coincidentally declared the “Year of Soil” in Wisconsin.

Howard was an avid and skilled outdoorsman who loved to hunt, fish, and forage for wild food and tall tales. He passed those passions on to his three sons and found great joy spending time with them in the woods and on the water. Unsurprisingly, the Soil Scientist maintained an impeccable vegetable garden and primly trimmed yard. Rows were straight, veggies were mulched-in perfectly with lawn clippings, and bare spots in the lawn were like a squeaky wheel, soon-to-be seeded, fertilized and watered. He also enjoyed playing cards (lots of cards), refinishing furniture, following Wisconsin sports, and later, his grandchildren's events.

Howard was a dedicated family man, friend, and faithful parishioner of Saint Dennis Church. His spiritual home away from home were the oak-studded hills and valleys of the driftless area between Spring Green and Plain, WI, from which the families of his parents originated and where he spent many days with family seeking simple joys and sustenance in God’s natural bounty.  

Howard was preceded in death by his parents, John and Esther; brother, Roland (Alice); sisters, Lorna (George) Walk and Beth Norgord; and other loved ones. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Susan; three children, Alan, Adam (Lisa), and David (Jessie); four grandchildren, Josephine (David), Bennett (Adam), Chloe (Adam), and Crosby (David); sister, Mary McCool (Raymond); brother, Thomas (Tricia); and brother-in-law, Jim Norgord.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Queen of Apostles Parish, St. Dennis Church, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 8, 2026, with Father Gary Krahenbuhl presiding.  Burial will be held at Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Agrace Foundation, St. Dennis Catholic Church, The Nature Conservancy or the charity of your choice.

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Well, Dad, it’s pert near time,

The Angels say “soups on.”

Venison, sauteed butter ‘n’ onions and potatoes.

Meat of the gods.

Enjoy your eternal feast.

We love you!

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com <http://www.gundersonfh.com>.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420