Obituary of Edward Leroy Bladow

On April 12, 2019, Edward (Ed) Leroy Bladow, surrounded by his loving family, passed away peacefully at the age of 78 at AngelsGrace Hospice in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Ed was born on August 12, 1940 to Franklin and Terrissa (Lawton) Bladow. He married Patricia (Pat) Shaw in 1958, and raised two children, Kelly and Chad. Ed and Pat were both teachers in the Waukesha area. Ed taught for 33 years, most of which he spent at Pewaukee Middle School teaching math and science. Ed made his home in Wales, Wi, where he served on the Wales Planning Commission for over 30 years. He was known around Wales and Waukesha for his beekeeping, tending to his hives in Waukesha County and then extracting the honey in his garage. He was very involved in 4H and coached basketball and the chess club during his teaching career. He could tear up the dance floor and did so regularly with his wife as part of the Dousman Derby Dancers square dance group. He also loved playing cards and games, and Bridge was a particular passion. He became a Ruby Life Master in Bridge and continued playing throughout his cancer treatment. Ed was a welcoming host, loving neighbor, and pillow fighting champion.

He wintered in Mesa, Arizona for the past 20 years, and enjoyed exploring in the desert with his family and friends. He was an avid biker and hiker and used those skills while traveling the world from Alaska to Europe to Australia. He and Pat rafted the Colorado River twice and loved going on adventures together. It broke their hearts when Pat was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He lovingly cared for her, even when she could no longer remember who he was, until her death in 2013.

After the loss of his wife, Ed was lucky to find love again with his dear friend, Kay Alzuhn. Ed and Kay spent their time visiting their families, wintering in Arizona, and traveling as much as possible, with a lot of laughter along the way. With Ed’s generous heart and stubborn spirit, he was a great blessing to his community, donating to various non-profits and an active member at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Waukesha.

Ed is preceded in death by his wife, Patricia, and parents, Terrissa and Franklin. Ed is survived by his loving partner, Kay, daughter, Kelly (Jeff) Graminske, son, Chad (Heidi), sisters, Joyce and Barb, brother, Don, grandchildren, Jessica, Erin, Karl, Rachel & Jason, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and the many lives he touched and friends he made throughout his life.

A Gathering and Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday April 17th from 10:00AM until 11:30am with Memorial Service at 11:30 AM at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 434 Hyde Park Ave Waukesha 53188.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ed’s name to:

St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 424 Hyde Park Avenue, Waukesha, WI 53188

Food Pantry of Waukesha County, 1301 Sentry Drive, Waukesha, WI 53186

HAWS: Waukesha County’s Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 834, Waukesha, WI 53187-0834

Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, Cremation and Pre-Planning Services is serving the family.  For further information, please call 262‑542‑6609, or for directions, an online obituary, or to leave a condolence, please visit www.WaukeshasFuneralHome.com.