Edward Mayland

Edward James Mayland, age 92, died Sunday July 1, 2012
Ed was born August 27, 1919 in Racine. He grew up in Racine and attended Washington Park High School where he met the love of his life, Ruth Louise DeGroot. Ed and Ruth were married in February, 1941 while attending the University of WI. After graduating and achieving a Master's degree in graphic arts, Ed became an instructor at UW. Ed moonlighted as a commercial artist to supplement his $1,700/year teaching salary. In 1948, he struck out on his own, borrowed money and founded Mayland Printing Co. The company grew under Ed's stewardship becoming one of Madison's largest printing companies. Simultaneously, Ed expanded the company's scope to include magazine publishing. Cooking for Profit, a vehicle to promote gas fueled restaurant equipment had a circulation of 125,000, the largest of the foodservice trade journals.

Ed said that the secret to a long life was to have varied interests and pursue them passionately. Horticulture was one such interest, more than 1,000 gladiola's once graced the "back forty" of their home in Orchard Ridge. When he took up ceramics, he had a professional kiln built to fire his pots. Ed was also an accomplished watercolor artist and his works have been exhibited at numerous locations across Southern WI. He loved travelling the world with Ruth until Parkinson's Disease slowed her down. He enjoyed snow skiing and water skiing well into his 70's. Throughout his remarkable life, however, the primary focus was the well-being of his family. A kind, generous, supportive father and a devoted husband who cared for Ruth at home for 25 years as she battled her disease.

Ed is survived by three children, Edward Jr. (Leslie), David (Cynthia) and Patricia, six grandchildren, Jason (Aria), Elizabeth (Jon Shemmell), Christopher (Kimberly), Nathan, Lindsey (William Schmidt) and Christine, and four great-grandchildren, Sierra, Kaia, Harper and Zaila. He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth, grandson Eric and son-in-law Jerry Perkins.
A visitation will be held on Friday, July 6, 4 to 7 p.m. at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, WI. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Madison Public Library Foundation, 201 West Mifflin Street, Madison, WI 53703 or Wisconsin Public Television, 821 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706.