Edward Steichen

Ed Steichen, loving husband to Agnes and father to Jennifer (Greg) Spahn, Matthew and Jon, and loving grandfather to Jacob and Rachel Spahn, passed from this life on September 11, 2014, and continues his journey into Sacred Mystery.

Ed was born to Dr. Edward Steichen and Gertrude (Govreau) Steichen on Sept. 24, 1931, in Wichita, Kansas. He grew up in Lenora, Kansas. He attended Mauer Hill High School in Atchison, Kansas, followed by seminary training in Cincinnati, Ohio. After ordination, he studied at the Angelicum University in Rome where he received a doctorate in Canon Law in1960. He did pastoral work in the Salina Diocese until1965 when he was sent to Brazil to serve as Volunteer Coordinator for Papal Volunteers. His three years in Brazil profoundly influenced his life. The emergence of liberation theology and its role in empowering the poor changed his view of the role of the church. When he returned to the United States, he served one year in the Salina Diocese and then left the active ministry and did graduate work in Anthropology at the UW Madison.

He married Agnes (Aggie) Farrell on Aug. 30, 1969. They raised three children together. He worked for the State of Wisconsin in the Section of Vital Statistics for 24 years. He was active in civil rights and peace and justice movements and continued his interest in Central and South America. Upon retirement, he focused his energy on issues of racial injustice. He worked with MUM (Madison Area Urban Ministry) and MEP (Money, Education and Prisons). His second passion was nature photography. He saw the fragile beauty of nature and wanted to awaken attention to our destructive policies toward Mother Earth. He saw the parallels between our destructive treatment of nature and the similar treatment of the poor and marginalized.

He found a spiritual home in the 70's and 80's in the John 23rd Community and later at Holy Wisdom Monastery. Many of his photos captured the peace and beauty to be found at the monastery.

He was a gentle man who had a special love for those on the "fringes" of society. His philosophy of service was to accompany others in their life struggles. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and brother-in-law. He will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, and a nephew, Nicolas Steichen. He is survived by Aggie, his wife of 45 years; three children, Jennifer (Greg) Spahn of Waunakee, Wi., Matthew and Jon Steichen of San Diego, CA; and beloved grandchildren Jacob and Rachel Spahn. He will also be missed by his sister, Jeanine (Charles) Kelliher of Kearney, Nebraska, and brother, John (Mary) of Lawrence, Kansas, as well as many nieces and nephews, cousins, and brothers and sisters-in-law.

The family wishes to express their deep gratitude for the many people who accompanied Ed on his journey through his illness. Family members, both Ed's and Aggie's, spent time with Ed and helped in his care. Close friends, Dan and Barb Abbott and Hildegard Dorrer enriched his life. Sandy Wojtal-Weber served as his photographic guide and mentor. Members of Holy Wisdom Sunday Assembly enveloped him in loving care as did our Agrace Hospice team.

A memorial service will be held in celebration of his life at Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, on Saturday, September 27th at 1:30pm. A visitation will be held at the Monastery prior to the service from 12:00 to 1:30.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to Holy Wisdom Monastery, MOSES (an interfaith organization working on issues of racial justice), or Agrace HospiceCare.

Winn-Cress Funeral Home
5785 Hwy Q
Waunakee, WI