Harold Frederick Popelka, 87, died peacefully on Thursday, November 15th, 2007 at Alterra Winwood Assisted Living Center in Kenosha. Harold "Pete" was born December 3, 1919, in Breed, WI, to Anton M. and Mary T. Popelka. Harold married Edith (Ketterman) Rodgers on June 10, 1967, in Waukegan, IL. Harold grew up on a farm as one of fifteen children; he began working daily on the farm at the age of nine. He joined the Air Force in June 1941, with a career in electronic communications until he retired in 1964 as a Lieutenant Colonel. During his Air Force career, Harold was stationed in Illinois, Alaska, Arizona, Laos, Texas and North Africa. After retiring from active duty, he began working at Great Lakes Naval Training Center as a communications specialist. During this time, he met Edith while attending a Parents Without Partners meeting. He planned for an early retirement and, in 1974, at age 55, he and Edith moved to Albany, WI, and enjoyed living on their farmette and traveling. In 1989, they moved to McFarland and enjoyed a more social lifestyle without "working the crops." After Edith's passing in 2006, Harold moved to Kenosha to be closer to family. Harold was a terrific bowler and a proud member of the 300 Club. He threw a 16 pound ball and had a mean curve. Throughout his retirement, he bowled on a daily basis, and at times, was a member of three or four leagues at once. When he wasn't bowling, he enjoyed playing chess, cards, especially cribbage or bridge, working crossword puzzles, reading, computer games, and watching sports on television. He doted on his grandchildren, singing them to sleep as infants with "My Darling Clementine." He was an avid Green Bay Packer Fan and Wisconsin Badger Fan. Harold is survived by his daughters, Susan Popelka and Linda (Mike) Thompson; three sons, Bruce Popelka, Mark Popelka and Steve (Gayle) Rodgers; eight grandchildren, Alison (Nikolaus) Tafoya, Jennifer Bielser, April (Louis) Tafoya III, Lindsey Bielser, Summer Binkley, Tyler Popelka, Anthony Popelka and Scott Rodgers; and three great-grandchildren, Adam Keith, Aliyah Porter and Layla Tafoya. Harold is further survived by his brothers, George (Doris) Popelka, Alvin (Jane) Popelka and Adrian (Marge) Popelka; sisters, Irene Mackiewicz, Marie Szambaris, Delores (Gerald) Kraus, and Patricia Peterson; brothers-in-law, Paul Ketterman, Gene (Betty) Kettterman, Glen (Bonnie) Ketterman, Wayne (Elli) Ketterman and Lee (Mary Jo) Ketterman; sisters-in-law, Pauline (Ken) Nichols, Ruth (Carl) Irelan, and June Doll; and many more family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Anton and Mary; his wife, Edith; sisters, Ann, Elsie and Margaret; and brothers, Louis, Henry, Joseph, and Anton Jr. Memorial services will be held on Sunday, November 18th, at Proko Funeral Home at 3:00 pm. Interment will be private. Visitation will be held on Sunday at Proko Funeral Home from 2:00 pm until the time of the service. Harold was a quiet, soft-spoken man whose demeanor belied the determination within. The lessons to be learned from him came through his actions, not his words. His family will miss his gentle strength.Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533Visit Harold's Online Memorial Book at:www.prokofuneralhome.com