Harold Oliver Lindeblad, 97, passed away July 28, 2015, at his home in Wichita. Oliver was born on March 18, 1918, to Reverend Victor A. and Rose Lindeblad in Kiron, Iowa.

He grew up in Carthage, SD, and Axtell, Neb., graduating from Minden High School in 1935. Oliver went on to Kearney State Teacher College in 1941, with a degree in Education. He earned his pilot's license while at Kearney State. He moved to Wichita in 1941 to work for Stearman Aircraft as an inspector. In 1942, Oliver joined the Air Corps as an Aircraft Inspector and trained at Clearwater, FL, Gulfport, MS, and San Antonio, Texas, with the 87th Depot Repair Squadron. They left for Europe by ship in January of 1944, and were bound for Foggia, Italy, where they set up an emergency landing field for crippled bombers, where Oliver was Chief Inspector for aircraft. After V.E. day, and an assignment in Casa Blanca, Oliver returned from the war in November of 1945.

While overseas, he read in the Lutheran Companion Magazine of a shortage of pastors, and chose to enter Augustana Seminary (Swedish Lutheran Church) upon his return. At a "Welcome Home to Veterans" get-together at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Wichita, Oliver met his future wife, Roberta Johnson. They were married on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, 1947, at Mariadahl Lutheran Church, Cleburne, Kan. Oliver spent his internship at 1st Lutheran Church, Rockford, Ill., under Pastor Albert Loreen in 1948, and was ordained in 1950, at the Washington Cathedral. Oliver was called to his first parish at 1st Lutheran Church, Centerville, Iowa, in 1950, and then accepted a call to Emanuel Lutheran Church, Hutchinson, in 1952. It was at this church and community where he and Roberta, with children Janet and Bob, found long-lasting relationships that went on for 31 years, at which point he retired in 1983. Oliver and Roberta remained active in the community for 20 additional years, and spent much time traveling with their camper, gardening and enjoying their grandchildren. They moved to Wichita in 2004, to live next door to Janet.

Roberta passed away in 2004, and Oliver had been very well cared for by Janet for the past 11 years. Oliver was preceded in death by: his infant sister, Gloria; and brothers, Stan and Gordon. He is survived by: daughter, Janet (Ken) Janzen of Wichita; son, Bob of Prairie Village; granddaughter, Annie (Rev. Stephen) Haverlah of Granbury, Texas; grandson, Jacob (Kara) Janzen of Stockholm, Sweden; great-grandsons, Andrew and Nathan Haverlah; and newborn great-granddaughter, Linnea Janzen.

A Hymn Sing to celebrate Oliver's life and love for hymns will take place at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, 2015, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Wichita. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015, at Emanuel Lutheran Church, Hutchinson, with Pastor Tim Carey officiating. Burial will follow at 4 p.m. in Mariadahl Church Cemetery, Olsburg. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday at Elliott Mortuary, with family to receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Emanuel Lutheran Church. Memorials may be made to Emanuel Lutheran Church or Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.