Joseph Edwin Grady
September 19, 1926 — July 26, 2007
Joseph Edwin Grady, 80, of 448 Amberjack Dr., Hiawatha, died Thursday, July 26, 2007, at home in the loving care of his wife, Katie, after a long illness. A Gathering of Remembrance will take place on Saturday, July 28, 2007, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Marion from 1:30 ?" 3:30 p.m.
The son of Joseph W. and Sylvia R. (Julian) Grady, Joseph E. Grady was born in Attica, Indiana, on September 19, 1926. He graduated from Galveston High School in Galveston, Indiana, and went on to earn a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University.
In World War II and again during the Korean Conflict, he served his country in the United States Navy. Following his honorable discharge, Joe came to Cedar Rapids in 1952 to start his professional career at the Collins Radio Company, where he worked as an industrial engineer for nineteen years, including serving as Module Coordinator for the Apollo program. He then joined Square D, where he helped to charter a new chapter of the National Management Association, ultimately rising to a position as one of the National Directors of that organization. He retired from Square D in 1991.
Joe and his wife, Kaysuzanne “Katie” Berridge were united in marriage in Iowa City, Iowa, by their friend Rev. Dick Watkins on September 14, 1991.
In addition to Katie, Joe’s family includes his sister Patricia Beckman and husband Arthur of Fargo, ND; three children and their spouses, Susan Fenwick and Charles of Cedar Rapids; Jana Grady and David Leitner of Des Moines, and Michael Grady and Narola (Rolie) of Davenport; three stepdaughters and their spouses, Terri Knapp and Kevin of Stanwood, Traci Fisher and Jim of Cedar Rapids, and Toni Rausch and Jeff of Marion; grandchildren Morgan Leitner, Gabriel Leitner, Sean Grady, Kyle Knapp, Kelsey Knapp, Kade Knapp, Jessica Bieber, Jordan Rausch, and Lauren Rausch; and one great-granddaughter, Ashton.
Joe was preceded in death by his son Patrick Grady, grandson Kyle Grady, and his first wife, Wilma Jean “Billie” Coover, to whom he was married for 42 years.
Joe was devoted to his family and enjoyed his many friends, including longtime neighbors from the Douglas Court area of Marion. Joe’s interests included photographing historic schoolhouses in many parts of Iowa, golfing, and watching golf tournaments on t.v., and traveling with Katie. He also spent his time publishing a newsletter for his high school classmates from Indiana, rooting for Purdue while watching football games, eating out at the Village Inn, and playing with his dog, Sophie. He will be remembered for his sweetness and his ability to find joy in the small details of
everyday living .
The family wishes to thank the staff of West Ridge Care Center and Amenity Hospice for their compassionate care of Joe and Katie during Joe’s illness.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Joe’s name at Amenity Hospice at 211 1st Ave. S.E., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52401.
The son of Joseph W. and Sylvia R. (Julian) Grady, Joseph E. Grady was born in Attica, Indiana, on September 19, 1926. He graduated from Galveston High School in Galveston, Indiana, and went on to earn a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University.
In World War II and again during the Korean Conflict, he served his country in the United States Navy. Following his honorable discharge, Joe came to Cedar Rapids in 1952 to start his professional career at the Collins Radio Company, where he worked as an industrial engineer for nineteen years, including serving as Module Coordinator for the Apollo program. He then joined Square D, where he helped to charter a new chapter of the National Management Association, ultimately rising to a position as one of the National Directors of that organization. He retired from Square D in 1991.
Joe and his wife, Kaysuzanne “Katie” Berridge were united in marriage in Iowa City, Iowa, by their friend Rev. Dick Watkins on September 14, 1991.
In addition to Katie, Joe’s family includes his sister Patricia Beckman and husband Arthur of Fargo, ND; three children and their spouses, Susan Fenwick and Charles of Cedar Rapids; Jana Grady and David Leitner of Des Moines, and Michael Grady and Narola (Rolie) of Davenport; three stepdaughters and their spouses, Terri Knapp and Kevin of Stanwood, Traci Fisher and Jim of Cedar Rapids, and Toni Rausch and Jeff of Marion; grandchildren Morgan Leitner, Gabriel Leitner, Sean Grady, Kyle Knapp, Kelsey Knapp, Kade Knapp, Jessica Bieber, Jordan Rausch, and Lauren Rausch; and one great-granddaughter, Ashton.
Joe was preceded in death by his son Patrick Grady, grandson Kyle Grady, and his first wife, Wilma Jean “Billie” Coover, to whom he was married for 42 years.
Joe was devoted to his family and enjoyed his many friends, including longtime neighbors from the Douglas Court area of Marion. Joe’s interests included photographing historic schoolhouses in many parts of Iowa, golfing, and watching golf tournaments on t.v., and traveling with Katie. He also spent his time publishing a newsletter for his high school classmates from Indiana, rooting for Purdue while watching football games, eating out at the Village Inn, and playing with his dog, Sophie. He will be remembered for his sweetness and his ability to find joy in the small details of
everyday living .
The family wishes to thank the staff of West Ridge Care Center and Amenity Hospice for their compassionate care of Joe and Katie during Joe’s illness.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Joe’s name at Amenity Hospice at 211 1st Ave. S.E., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52401.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joseph Edwin Grady, please visit our flower store.