RICKY L. “RUDY” KUBES
Ricky Lee “Rudy” Kubes, 66, of Auburn, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on February 3rd, 2019 in Clay Center, Kansas. The oldest of nine children, Rick was born to Warren and Darlene Kubes on September 30th, 1952 in Mobile, Alabama. Upon leaving military service, Warren and Darlene settled in Pleasant Hill, Nebraska.
Rick graduated from Dorchester High School in 1971 and completed basic training for the United States Navy later that year. While in the Navy, he served onboard the USS Trepang. On November 24, 1979, Rick married Leslie Bruns. Rick and Leslie resided in Lincoln while Rick worked at the University of Nebraska power plant. Rick and Leslie welcomed their first child, Matthew Lee, on January 12th 1981. He then earned an Electronics Engineering degree from Milford Southeast Community College in March of 1984. Upon graduation, the family moved to Auburn, Nebraska where he took a job at Cooper Nuclear Power Station. Rick and Leslie welcomed their second child, Mary Beth, on May 4, 1985. Rick retired from NPPD at the age of 60.
Rick enjoyed his grandkids, traveling, Husker football games, Kansas City Royals, eating ice cream, telling jokes, and was an avid fisherman. He enjoyed bass fishing most of all, but strictly catch and release. He would fish farm ponds and smaller lakes from his smaller boat, and he would take his bigger boat to larger lakes and Canada where he liked to catch “fish with teeth.”
He is survived by his wife Leslie, son Matthew (wife Amanda), and daughter Mary (husband Scott Mellage); grandkids Ella Kubes, Jade Mellage, and Jack Mellage; siblings Mike Kubes (wife Pam), Debbi (husband Don Novak), Lori (husband Larry Graham), Connie (husband Daryl Coffey), Jodee Skala, Jackie (husband Joel Johnson), and Jim Kubes (wife Ann); and several nieces and nephews. Rick was preceeded by his parents, Warren and Darlene Kubes, and his brother, Terry (survived by wife Debb Kubes).
Funeral service will be in Crete, Neb. at 2 PM on Friday, February 15th, at Kuncl Funeral Home. Rick was cremated in Topeka, and his ashes will be interred at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Saline County, Neb. Reception to follow at the Dorchester Legion Club in Dorchester.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.