Stanley 'Stosh' A. Kubacki

HURLEY, Wis. - Stanley A. Kubacki, 87, of 303 Taconite St., Hurley, formerly a lifelong resident of Kimball, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, in Hurley after a brief illness.

Stanley was born Nov. 17, 1927, in Ironwood, Mich., son of the late Steve and Mary (Skowronski) Kubacki. He received his high school diploma from Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood after his military tour of duties.

He entered the U.S. Army at the age of 17 and served during the World War II campaign and served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He was a member of the local VFW for many years. He and his son, Steve, flew into Washington, D.C. in the summer of 2013, participating in the "Old Glory Honor Flight." It was a moving experience that he treasured and greatly appreciated.

His trade was that of a welder and he worked in the local iron mines (Penokee and others) and retired after 27 years from the White Pine Copper Company. During the work strikes, he often worked in the Milwaukee area automobile plants to support his family. His welding skills and abilities were well known and many residents in the town of Kimball sought out his skills in repairing tractors, farm implements and construction equipment. He loved to tinker, putz, weld and repair things. A piece of angle iron was a creative opportunity.

He greatly loved the outdoors and he and his wife, Elaine, enjoyed the family cottage on Pike Lake, spending many summer weekends with his sons and their spouses, grandchildren, family and friends. Many great meals were had and cold beer enjoyed on the dining deck and the garage that he built with his sons and grandsons. He was a long-time member of the Kimball Men's Club and St. Mary's Catholic Church. He spent many holidays in Ashwaubenon over the years making a ceremonial batch of sauerkraut with his family, as he did in his youth with his father and siblings, along with a meal of lutefisk, of course.

He enjoyed downhill skiing, snowmobiling with close family friends, picking berries, fishing whenever he got the chance, hunting and the great outdoors. He spent a great deal of time on both the Kubacki forty south of Hurley (the meadows) and Nevala forty in Kimball.

On Sept. 13, 1951, he married Elaine Nevala at St. Michael's Church in Ironwood. She passed away on Oct. 29, 2009. They had been married for 58 years.

He is survived by two sons, Steve (Cheryl), of Ashwaubenon, and Mark (Megann), of Kimball; three grandchildren, Kyle (Katelyn), of Ashwaubenon, Allison (special friend, Mike), of Denver, and Nick, of Oshkosh; two cherished great-grandchildren, Kameron and Keegan, of Ashwaubenon; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, Stan was preceded in death by his infant son, Warren, four sisters, Amelia, Kay, Dorothy and Irene, and their husbands; his brother, John, and his wife.

He was the last survivor of all of the uncles and aunts in his generation of the Kubacki and Nevala families. He will be greatly missed by his sons, their wives, his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren who made his eyes dance. He simply was a "good guy."

Cremation has taken place at the Range Crematory in Hurley. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 11 a.m., at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley. Father Frank Kordek OFM will officiate.

Military rites will be given by VFW Post 1580 and American Legion Post 58 combined honor guard of Hurley. The family will receive friends and family from 10 a.m. until the service at the church. Inurnment will be at the Riverside Cemetery in Ironwood.

Arrangements are by Range Funeral Service and Crematory, Ketola-Burla Funeral Home in Ironwood.