Terry Haden

MADISON- Terry D. Von Haden, age 79, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at the Oakwood Memory Care Unit with his family by his side. Terry was born on March 29, 1939 in Sparta, WI to Gilferd Von Haden and Lula (Vieth) Von Haden. Terry grew up on a dairy farm in Elroy, Wisconsin and went to school in a two-room school house. He then went on to attend Elroy High School and Madison Business College. In 1961 Terry graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. Terry enlisted in 1962 and served as a medical corpsman with the Army National Guard and worked in the 13th Evac hospital. Terry trained in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and was honorably discharged from active duty in 1974.

Terry met his loving wife Jan (Trimberger) in 1969 while Terry was a young accountant and Jan was working in the trust department at First Wisconsin National Bank (now USBank). On August 25, 1973 Terry and Jan were married and have been married for 44 years. They have three daughters, Sara, Tracy & Kristin.

Terry started his career in private accounting at Mautz Paints. He eventually moved into public accounting as an associate for several firms including Gunkel, Morton and Associates and Gunkel, Von Haden and Cantwell. Terry passed the state Certified Public Accounting exam in 1970. In 1974 Terry along with John Suby founded Suby, Von Haden and Associates, S.C. (now SVA Certified Public Accountants, S.C.) and opened their first office at 901 S. Whitney Way in Madison. Terry worked with numerous business entities and individuals providing clients with technical expertise in taxation, consolidations, inventories and financial planning and reporting. Terry's reputation and expertise was invaluable to his broad client base. Terry was committed to his clients and traveled to their home or business to meet with them. He went the extra mile to ensure his clients received the service and support they needed. Personal relationships and friendships evolved through Terry's service to his clients. Many have led to lifelong friendships of the Von Haden family. Terry was not only dedicated to his clients but also to the employees at SVA. He was active in recruiting new talent to SVA and was a mentor to many young accountants starting their career at SVA. For fifteen years Jan worked alongside Terry as a seasonal tax preparer. SVA was more than a place of employment for Terry, it was a second home. Terry spent 40 years at SVA until he retired in May of 2014.

Terry served on numerous boards throughout his career. He served on Oakwood Foundation Board of Directors and Finance & Investment Council, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Four Seasons Theatre, Methodist Health Services Board, St. Mary's Hospital Foundation, Meriter Foundation and was appointed to the State of Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board by Governor Tommy Thompson. Terry held professional memberships in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants (WICPA) for which he was recognized for 40 years of service and he is the recipient of the President's Award from the National Association of Accountants. Terry was a member of First United Methodist Church, Blackhawk Country Club and Olbrich Botanical Society. Terry and Jan were involved in many charitable fundraising events in the Madison area and had the opportunity to be honorary chairs for Olbrich's Rhapsody in Bloom event in 2004.

Terry was a member of the "Die-Hard Cub Fan Club" since 1948 and an avid supporter of University of Wisconsin Athletics with season tickets to Badger football and basketball. You could find Terry and his family sitting behind home plate or on the third base line at Wrigley Field enjoying his beloved Cubs. Terry never gave up on the Cubs and finally could celebrate the World Series win in 2016. Terry would always love to take a quick weekend sabbatical to spring training in Arizona during tax season to see the Cubs prep for their upcoming season. Terry was a part owner of the Madison Muskies minor league baseball team in the 1980's.
Terry took immense pride in following the activities his daughters were involved in. All three girls were competitive swimmers from a young age and swam through high school. Terry never missed a swim meet. In the summer he was a frequent timer and announcer at Parkcrest swim meets.

Terry was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2011. We'd like to thank the staff at Oakwood Memory Care Unit for treating him respectfully and like family while he lived there for the last 14 months. We would also like to thank Agrace Hospice Care for their compassion and support.

Terry is preceded in death by his parents Gilferd Von Haden and Lula (Veith) Von Haden; his sister and brother-in-law Jennifer & George Bancroft; and his nephew Scott Brown. Terry is survived by his wife Jan; daughter Sara (Matt) Esslinger of Larkspur, CA; daughter Tracy (Eric) Van Andel of Waukesha, WI; daughter Kristin (Jeff) Heelan of Edina, MN; sister Carla Von Haden of Elroy, WI; niece Heidi Lezotte of Waunakee, WI; niece Michele Laux of Madison, WI; and his nine beloved grandchildren: Stella Van Andel, Luke Esslinger, Olivia Van Andel, Benjamin Esslinger, Claire Heelan, Sydney Esslinger, William Heelan, Noah Van Andel and Gavin Heelan. Terry loved being "Bumpa" to his nine grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at First United Methodist Church, 203 Wisconsin Ave, Madison at 2:30 pm on Wednesday, June 13th. A short visitation will be held prior to the service at 1:30 pm. A visitation will be held at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Rd, Madison on Tuesday, June 12th from 4:00 - 7:00 pm. Family and friends are invited to a celebration of life to be held at Blackhawk Country Club, 3606 Blackhawk Dr., Madison following the funeral service on Wednesday, June 13th. A private family burial will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in memory of Terry for the Terry Von Haden Scholarship Fund or an organization of your choice. The Scholarship Fund will benefit Accounting students in their fifth year of schooling. Checks should be made payable to Terry Von Haden Family and sent to 337 N. Yellowstone Dr, Madison WI, 53705.

We are all saddened by the passing of Terry and he will be greatly missed. He is our shining star.


Cress Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Rd, Madison
608-238-3434