Blue Mounds – Edward T. Straus, age 79, of Blue Mounds, WI passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.

Edward was born on April 29, 1947 in Madison, WI, son of the late George and Delores (Parkin) Straus. He graduated from Sun Prairie High School in 1965. After high school, he served in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War. He then earned an Associate Degree in Land Surveying at MATC.

In 1971, Edward married Judy Fisk at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Lodi, WI. They have been lovingly married for 55 years.

Edward worked for Dane County as a Surveyor, then as Assistant Superintendent of the Sun Prairie Water & Light, and finally the Premiere Co-op in Mt. Horeb.

He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Barneveld. He believed in serving his community, and was a proud member of the American Legion for over 39 years, as well as a Boy Scout Leader.

Edward loved hunting, fishing, cooking, baking, and woodworking. He and Judy shared a love of camping and he was proudly known as the "camp cook". He was an animal lover, nature lover and had the motto of "Always Help Your Neighbors."

Edward is survived by his wife Judy; his children Thomas (Colleen) Straus, Amy (Joe) Philipps and Dr. Todd (Kim) Straus; his grandchildren Devin (Kali) Straus, Collin Straus, Ian Hofkes, and Avery Hofkes; his bonus grandchildren Ella, Hannah, Miles and Zac; his brother and sisters and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother-in-law George Thomas, and his infant grandchildren Ava and Evan.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2026 at IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH in Barneveld. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the GORGEN-McGINLEY & AYERS FUNERAL HOME in Dodgeville and from 10:30 a.m. until time of Mass on Saturday at the church. Inurnment will be held in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Dodgeville, with Military Graveside Rites accorded by the Dodgeville Area Veterans.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to Upland Hills Hospice or Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

The family would like to thank Regional Hospice and Lakeside Memorial Funeral Home in Michigan, Dr Peter Mullin, Upland Hills Hospice, UHH Cardiopulmonary services, and Gorgen Funeral Home