Obituaries

Sun Prairie - Scott Alan Breitenbach passed away peacefully at his home with his loving wife, Ann by his side on April 29, 2024, after a 3-year journey with Bulbar ALS. He was born on August 2, 1964, in Madison, WI to parents, Donald and Evelyn (Curtis) Breitenbach.

Scott graduated from McFarland High School in 1982. During his school years he participated in wrestling, tennis, and track. He also played tenor saxophone in the band.

He attended UW Madison for one year and then transferred to UW Green Bay where he received his BA in Accounting.

While in Green Bay Scott met the love of his life Ann. They were married in 1992 and had 32 amazing years together. Scott and Ann raised their 2 daughters on a 12-acre farmette with horses, dogs and 40 cats in Columbus, WI before moving to Sun Prairie in 2015. Growing up on a family farm left a lasting impression on Scott. He developed a lifelong appreciation of farming through this family tradition. He enjoyed baling hay and loved riding his antique Allis Chalmers tractor.

Scott worked in the accounting field for a tax accountant, a millwork company, and a John Deere Dealership before he found his way to American Family Insurance company. Scott was at American Family for 24 years as a Senior Systems Analyst for the accounting department. Scott enjoyed his work and loved the people he worked with. He remained close to those in his department even after he retired in December 2021, when he was diagnosed with a mutated gene for Bulbar ALS.

Suffering through a disease was not new to Scott. Scott had chronic knee pain since he was 13 years old. Despite being in constant pain, Scott lived his life the way Jesus asked us to – to take up our cross and follow Him. Scott’s faith and love for God and Jesus gave him the strength he needed to get through each day. Scott never let his pain affect his mood or how he treated others. He continued using this God given strength through his ALS journey. He was determined to live each day to the fullest and not be defined by a disease. When asked how he was doing, he began saying “Every Day Is A Blessing”.

Scott’s chronic knee pain did not stop him from staying active. He farmed, rode horses, golfed, bowled, hiked, and biked. Once ALS set in Scott was only able to bike. He loved to bike with family and friends as often as possible saying, “I don’t feel like I have ALS when I bike.”

Scott is preceded in death by his father Don, mother Evie, brother Mark, sister Karen, and foster brother Verdell.

Scott is survived by his wife Ann; daughter Amanda (Alex), and grandson Atlas; daughter Stephanie (Kyle) grandson Tucker and granddaughter Quinn. Scott’s siblings Lynne (David), Kathy, Kurt (Laura), Janet (Eric), 23 nieces and nephews and his in-laws.

For those who knew Scott, he will leave a huge hole in our lives. He treated everyone he met as if they were family. He is an inspiration to others and will be remembered as caring, kind-hearted, and encouraging. As much as we will miss Scott, we are so happy he is now pain free and living with our Holy Father and Jesus in Heaven.

We love you, Scott. You will be missed every day. “Well done good and faithful servant.”

A special thank you to our loving and supportive family – Janet, Amanda (Hoot), Stephanie, Kyle, Amanda and Alex, Ray and Julie, David and Marian, Mary, Sue and Doug, Paul and Marie, Steve and Barb. To our loving and supportive friends – Rick and Deb, Jon and JoAnn, Victor and Paula, Wayne and Agnes, Diane, Chuck and Chris, Char, Brian and Deb, Matthias, Valeri, Brad, Jen, Julie and Tom, Bob and Linda. To the amazing staff at the ALS Association – Kristy, Angie, Cat and Kathleen. To Scott’s compassionate medical team – Dr. Fertikh, Dr. Baker, Dr. Murphy, Lindsay, Dr. Famouri and all their wonderful support staff. To the caring staff at Hospice – Ami, Theresa and all the wonderful CNA’s. A special thanks to Cornerstone Caregiving and the kind-hearted and loving Melissa who helped take care of Scott in the last months. To our loving church family whose continuous prayers brought us through - Pastor Tim, Pastor Seth, Bonnie, Kathy, Darleen, Adam, Chad, Quilting Guild, Choir, Martha’s Circle. And, to Our Heavenly Father who was with us every moment of every day on this journey, we could not have gotten through this without Him.

“Every Day Is A Blessing”

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the ALS Association. Donations made to family will be utilized to plant trees in Scott’s memory.

A visitation will take place from 2:00-4:00 p.m., Sunday, May 5, 2024 at Ryan Funeral Home, 2418 N. Sherman Ave., Madison, WI, as well as, from 10-11:00 a.m., one hour prior to the service, Monday, May 6, 2024 at the church. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, May 6 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 550 Lincoln Dr, Sun Prairie, WI with interment at Sacred Hearts Cemetery in Sun Prairie, followed by a luncheon at the church. To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

2418 N. Sherman Avenue

608-249-8257