WAUKESHA - Harold Rudolph Blado, 88, of Waukesha, returned home to the arms of Jesus on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2002.

Harold was born Jan. 6, 1914, in Norwalk, to Rudolph and Emma (Nee Graewin) Blado. Harold grew up in Norwalk and Tomah. As a young man, he worked in his father's construction business helping build bridges.

Harold graduated from Carroll College in 1939 with a bachelor of arts in accounting and economics. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in January 1942 and was stationed in various places in the United States, the Philippines and Japan. Harold was a 1st lieutenant in the Army Engineer Corps and a major in the U.S. Army Reserves.

While on leave from the service, Harold wed Grace Merten on July 18, 1942, at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Waukesha. They recently celebrated their 60th anniversary with their family present.

After his tenure in the military, Harold was employed at Waukesha Motor Co. before becoming a benefit rating administrator at the Veterans' Administration in Milwaukee. He received a job transfer in 1956 to Reno, Nev. In 1959 Harold and his family moved to Walnut Creek, Calif., where they enjoyed many happy years. In 1965, he transferred back to the Milwaukee branch where he retired in 1976. Harold received a service award for 34 years as a U.S. government employee. Eventually Harold took a part-time job at the Marine Bank in Waukesha.

Travel and gardening were among Harold's many interests. He was a devoted Christian husband, father and grandfather. He was always interested in what was happening in the lives of his children and grandchildren.

Harold was a member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church of Waukesha and a past member of Mount Calvary Church of Waukesha and St. Jacobi Church in Greenfield. He had served on various boards.

Harold is survived by his loving wife, Grace. He will be deeply missed by his children, Cynthia (Charles) Newman of Huntington Beach, Calif., Peter (Adrienne) Blado of Tacoma, Wash., Jonathan (Alice) Blado of University Place, Wash., Mark (Gayle) Blado of Waukesha and Elizabeth (Rev. Timothy) Henning of Rancho Cucomonga, Calif. He was a wonderful grandpa to Jonathan (Kelly) Newman, Rachel Blado, Matthew Newman, Emily (Martin) Slotwinski, Lindsey (Brian) Beaky, Sarah Henning, Megan Blado, Christopher Blado, Leah Henning, Daniel Henning and Kayla Blado. Two-month old great-granddaughter Koral Anne Newman also survives. Other survivors include his brothers, Ewald (Marie) Blado and Reuben (Hazel) Blado, both of Tomah, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Harold was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Bethany Anne Blado, in 1988, his sisters, Esther Koebernick, Hilda Beede and Viola Smith and his parents.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Jan. 3, at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 700 Beechwood Ave., with the service of Christian burial following at noon. The Rev. Arthur Koepsell officiating. Interment will follow at Prairie Home Cemetery.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Heartland Health Care Rehabilitation Center in Pewaukee and the staff of Oak Hill Terrace in Waukesha for their excellent care and concern for Dad.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church or WELS Home Missions are appreciated.

Heritage/Gillette-Johnson Funeral Home, 901-1140, is serving the family.