Harry Raymond Hubbard, 98, of rural Elkader, passed peacefully Tuesday, April 3, 2023, at MercyOne Medical Center in Elkader.
He was born November 1, 1924, on the family farm, rural Elkader to George and Hilda (Lemka) Hubbard. Harry attended the local country school and Elkader High School, graduated and attended one year of Junior College also in Elkader before enlisting and proudly serving in the United States Merchant Marines from 1945-1946 during World War II. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Elkader, the American Legion, and the Mederville Cemetery Association.
Harry was united in marriage to Irene “Rene” Wiley on October 5, 1946, at St. Joseph Parsonage. Four children were born to this union. They made their home on the family farm in rural Elkader in a home he built himself and where he remained his entire life.
Harry was truly a “jack of all trades – he was a farmer, mechanic, did spray painting, substitute mail carrier and even built his own sawmill for logging. Then his love for bulldozing started with the job with C.J. Moyna, working with the land and ‘moving the earth’. After a time, he was able to buy his own equipment operating Hubbard Bulldozing, enjoying working some years with Bob White. He continued his bulldozing business until his health made the days difficult to continue.
He enjoyed fishing and boating at the family cabin on the Mississippi and participating in the Pony Hollow Rope Pull Team. He also loved watching football, especially the Green Bay Packers. In early years, he and his wife were members of the ‘neighborly CB buddies’ communicating from Channel 11 as “KRJ 1082”. All through the years he loved to fly, joining a local group having fly-in breakfasts that both he and Rene enjoyed so much. He had owned a plane with partners then later proudly bought his own plane to enjoy for several more years until his health again made it difficult to maintain. Harry and Rene also loved and enjoyed dancing to the ‘real music’ of a band. He was definitely a ‘people person’, getting to know everyone and becoming friends. He helped his neighbors WHENEVER they were in need. Harry had a quiet wisdom – that is rare!
He enjoyed woodworking throughout his life never going by patterns or directions; rather he would say, “Just bring me a picture” and he would take it from that, usually producing as good or better than the ‘picture’. For many people, if something didn’t work it was commonplace to say, “Let Harry look at it” as he could fix anything.
Survivors include his daughter, Cheryl Scheffert of Guttenberg; sons, Dave (Sheri) Hubbard of Garner and Roger (Trish) Hubbard of Peru, IA; 15 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and one nephew Bill (Carole) Campbell of Centennial, CO.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Rene on February 3, 2000; one son, Ron; one grandson, Mike; one great-grandson, Zane; two sisters, Florence (Donald) Campbell and Mary (Otto) Bankes; son-in-law, Gail Scheffert and friend Donna Larsen.
Visitation: 4 to 7 PM on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Elkader and one hour before the service at the church on Wednesday
Funeral Service: 10:30 AM – Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elkader with Deacon Paul Dolan.
Interment with Military Honors: St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Elkader
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Elkader Fire Department or MercyOne Ambulance service
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elkader is assisting the family.