Obit: Kubista, Robert A. (1944 – 2014)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Kubista, Kruckeberg, Moe, Mair, Skillestad, Lewis, Nordby

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 26 Feb 2014

Kubista, Robert A. (17 APR 1944 – 22 FEB 2014)

Robert A. Kubista, 69, Blooming Prairie, Minn., died on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014, at Owatonna Hospital. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m., on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at Michaelson Funeral Home, Blooming Prairie, and from 10-11 a.m., on Thursday, Feb. 27, at First Lutheran Church, Blooming Prairie. Funeral services will follow at First Lutheran Church. Rev. Charlie Leonard and Rev. Heidi Heimgartner will officiate. Interment will be in the Blooming Prairie Cemetery.

Robert Kubista was born on April 17, 1944, in Blooming Prairie, the son of Robert and Mildred (nee Kruckeberg) Kubista. He attended St. John’s Lutheran Parochial School and then attended high school in Dodge Center, Minn., graduating in 1962. He married Gwen Moe on Oct. 6, 1962, in Hayfield, Minn., and the couple made their home in Owatonna, Minn., until 1973. Bob worked for Jostens and Wengers from 1962-80. In 1973, the couple moved to Bob’s family farm in rural Blooming Prairie, where he farmed. In 1991, they relocated to the city of Blooming Prairie. Bob worked for Cybex for 21 years, retiring in 2007. Bob was a past member of Redeemer Lutheran, Owatonna, St. John’s Lutheran, Claremont, Minn., and was a current and active member at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie. He was a very compassionate man to everyone he met, and a very devoted husband who showed unconditional love for Gwen. His children, grandchildren, siblings, family, and friends meant so very much to him. An annual fishing trip to northern Minnesota with the guys in the family was a very special time for Bob. He spent months organizing and preparing much to everyone’s delight. He enjoyed gardening, traveling with Gwen, sports, and having stimulating conversations regarding politics and faith with his brother, DuWayne, over their daily cup of coffee. For the last few years, Bob has worked part-time transporting school children for KDC of Blooming Prairie. He was proud to have recently obtained his license to drive school bus.

He is survived by his wife, Gwen Kubista, Blooming Prairie; their children, Andrew (Susan) Kubista, Blooming Prairie, Joel (Lisa) Kubista, Blooming Prairie, Catherine (Brent) Mair, Platte City, Mo., Matthew (Mayro) Kubista, Loyal, and Allyson (Greg) Skillestad, Blooming Prairie; 18 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; two sisters, Joyce (Rev. Bill) Lewis, Tucson, Ariz., and Mary Lou (Paul) Nordby, Owatonna; one brother, DuWayne (Joan) Kubista, Blooming Prairie; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Rev. Gary Kubista; and a brother-in-law, Luverne Zacharias.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Steele County Food Shelf or the Blooming Prairie Ministerial Fund.

Michaelson Funeral Homes, Owatonna, Minn., is assisting the family with arrangements.