Howard Lubach

Howard Lubach, 90, of Sioux Center, IA died Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at the Royale Meadows Care Center of Sioux Center. Visitation will be held Monday from 4-8PM, with the family present from 5-7PM at Kinsey Elementary School Gymnasium of Sioux Center. A prayer service will be held Tuesday at 10AM at Central Reformed Church of Sioux Center. Interment will follow the prayer service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center. A memorial service will be held Tuesday at 11AM at Central Reformed Church with Rev. R. Van Rathbun officiating. The Lubach family prefers memorials be directed to Central Reformed Church or Sioux Center Home Health & Hospice. Howard Lubach was born in Cedar Grove, WI, on January 11, 1921, to William A. and Wilhelmina (Huenink) Lubach. He attended elementary and high school in Cedar Grove and graduated from Central College in Pella, IA, He later received a Masters degree in Education from the University of South Dakota. Howard served in the United States Army in World War II primarily in the South Pacific in New Guinea and the Philippines. He was awarded a Bronze Star in 1945. Master Sergeant Lubach was then called to service in the Korean War in 1950 and served for ten months receiving a Purple Heart in 1951. After graduating from Central College, Howard taught for one year at Boyden High School and then for the next 35 years in the Sioux Center Public School System. Howard was a high school teacher and coach and for the last twenty years of his career in education, served as the principal at Kinsey Elementary School retiring in 1983. On August 22, 1947, Howard married Edith DeWit whom he met at Central College. Howie and Edie were married for 63 years and lived their married life in Sioux Center with 56 years spent in the same home until moving in August, 2010. Howard was an active member of Central Reformed Church serving on the church consistory and for many years as the adult Sunday school teacher. Howard was also a loyal member of Sioux Center's American Legion. He found much joy in being a grandfather and volunteering at the Sioux Center Community Hospital. Survivors include his wife, Edith Lubach of Sioux Center; four children: Bill Lubach and wife, Ruth, of Pella, IA; Bonnie and husband, John Kaericher, of Orange City, IA; Bruce and wife, Laura, of Lincoln, NE; and Barb Lubach, of Denver, CO; six grandchildren: Aaron Lubach and wife, Sarah, of Grimes, IA; Joe Lubach, of Burlingame, CA; SGT Billy Fox and wife, Nikki, of Fort Campbell, KY; Mary Fox and fiancé, CPL Troy Smith, of Fayetteville, NC; Courtney Lubach and Tanner Lubach, of Lincoln, NE; and three great-grandsons: Henry and Hudson Lubach and Halen Fox. He is also survived by his sister, Lois Lemberger, and her husband, Mel, of Greenfield, WI. He loved and was loved by surviving members of Edie's family, which include Julius DeWit of Canby, MN; Adrianna Kuyper, of Arkadelphia, AR; Agnes Brawner, of Galva, IL; Helen and Loyd Vermeer, of Sioux Center and Gene and Norma DeWit, of Canby, MN; Mr. Lubach also leaves behind numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Howard was preceded in death by his parents; Edith's parents, Neal and Johanna De Wit; brothers-in-law: Jim De Wit and wife, Maria, Glen Luymes, Howard Brawner, Eugene Kuyper and sister-in-law, Jo De Wit. Online Condolences From: Arlin Buyert eMail: [email protected] City: Leawood State: Kansas Relationship: Friend Message: Oh what a wonderful man you were! My teacher, my coach, my mentor, my enabler, my friend. I will miss you. From: Jessica (Moeller) Underberg eMail: [email protected] City: Larchwood State: IA Relationship: former student Message: I was so sad to hear of Mr Lubach's passing. He was such a special man. I always enjoyed seeing him whenever I was back at Central Church. He was so caring and always made the effort to say hello. My sincere condolences to his family. God Bless. From: Kathy DeHaan (Irwin) eMail: [email protected] City: Sioux City State: Ia Relationship: Mr. Lubach was my principle. Message: I would love to give my deepest heart felt sympathy's to the Lubach family. Your father was a great man and so well respected! I thought the world of your dad!! Please know that I care and that I'm thinking and praying for your family during this time of loss. From: Marv TeGrotenhuis eMail: [email protected] City: Louisville State: Colorado Relationship: Friend, Student, Baseball Player Message: Always known as Mr. Lubach, never Howard, he was a huge influence in my high school days. Mr. Lubach was a guiding light then and I will always remember him as a mentor that demanded the best I had to offer. From: Wayne & Gracia Evenhuis eMail: [email protected] City: Scottsdale State: Arizona Relationship: Students & Friends Message: We certainly want to extend our sincere condolences to the entire Lubach family. He was a good man and always took the time to say hello when we were back visiting at Central Reformed Church. from: Wanda (Koerselman) Van Sloten eMail: [email protected] City: Hawarden State: Iowa Relationship: Past principal and friend Message: Our condolences to the whole Lubach clan. He was known as "Mr. Lubach" to me as my principal. Later, a friend of ours with a kind and caring heart. Rest in peace. Wanda and Rick Van Sloten From: Gerry & Arlis Vande Garde eMail: [email protected] City: Bloomington State: MN Relationship: Student/Friend Message: Mr Lubach was our high school teacher and trusted friend...an icon in the Sioux Center education and civic communities and a fantastic supporter of virtually thousands of students for decades. From: Vicki Huisman eMail: [email protected] City: Meadowlakes State: Texas Relationship: teacher Message: I have wonderful memories of Howard who gave me my first teaching job. He was such an encourager to me and had a caring relationship with my special needs students. My sympathy to the entire Lubach family. From: Pat O'Donnell eMail: [email protected] City: Sioux center State: Iowa Relationship: Friend Message: The Sioux Center Community Schools has lost a wonderful member of our school family. Howard's dedication to the students, staff, parents, and the Sioux Center Community lives on. He was a great educator and a great man. He will be missed. As the superintendent of the Sioux Center Schools I truly appreciated Howard's friendship and mentoring. From: Barb Bruinsma Hanisch eMail: [email protected] City: Rancho Cucamonga State: CA Relationship: student Message: When God sends forth a spotless soul to learn the ways of earth, A Mother's love is waiting there. We call this wonder "Birth." When God calls home a tired soul and stills a fitful breath, Love Divine is waiting there . This, too, is "Birth" not death. My deepest sympathy to the Lubach family. Yes, indeed - he will always be remembered as "Mr. Lubach." Sincerely, Barb Hanisch From: Lon J. Bruinsma eMail: [email protected] City: Sioux Center State: IA Relationship: Past Student and Friend Message: Notice to The Class of 1958 It is great sadness I want to tell you all of the passing of our old friend and teacher Howard Lubach. His health had been deteriating the last year or so. I had Mr. Lubach for History in High School and I credit him for my love of History to this day. I also worked for him as Manager of the Baseball team and the Basketball teams for most of my High School years. He was a kind and generous man with a great dry sense of humor and a great capacity to serve. He served in the Army in the 2nd World War, earned the Bronze Star, given for Extreme Bravery or Meritorious Service, He was again called up for the Korean War where he earned the Purple Heart. He always tried to instill in us his students a high regard for Honesty, working hard, and a great love of Country and Patriotism, A TRUE AMERICAN HERO. May God Rest His Soul. Lon James Bruinsma From: Sally (Baker) Dieltz eMail: [email protected] City: Sioux Falls State: SD Relationship: Friend Message: My deepest sympathies to the Lubach family. Mr. Lubach was a very kind and gracious man. Always there with a ready smile and a kind word. He was a blessing to so many. Although is is hard to see our loved ones leave us behind, it is also a time to rejoice that he knew our Lord as his personal Saviour. He is now resting in His Arms safely. May the Lord's peace and comfort be with you. From: Pudd and Evelyn eMail: [email protected] City: Rock Valley State: IA Relationship: Friends Message: Bruce and Laura, We send our sympathy to you. We have good memories of when you lived in Rock Valley. Pudd remembers when you worked at the tournament in S.City. Hope your family is doing well. We are still in the same house and doing well. Love, Pudd & Evelyn From: Gina Corbin eMail: [email protected] City: Sioux Falls State: South Dakota Relationship: Former Student, Class of 1994 Message: My Sympathy and love to the family of Mr. Lubach. May God Wrap His Loving Arms Around You as you go through this difficult time, but good memories are there! Gina From: Laurie & Jeff Born eMail: [email protected] City: Plymouth State: Wisconsin Relationship: cousin Message: Edith, John & Bonnie, We are so sorry for your loss. No words can express how you feel. May you know that you are in our heart and prayers. From: Joyce De Koster-class of '58 eMail: [email protected] City: Le Mars State: Iowa Relationship: former student Message: My deepest sympathy in the loss of your spouse/father. I had the greatest respect for Mr. Lubach--a fantastic teacher with a good sense of humor and desire for every student to do his/her very best. Have been thankful to have had him as a teacher. From: Mary (Moss)Van Middendorp eMail: [email protected] City: Sioux Center Relationship: Former student Class of 1958 Message: Mr Lubach will be remembered as a respected,kind & humble man. Also a very friendly man.Whenever meeting him on the street but for me was more often in the grocery store he always had a smile & Hello. He will be missed by many.My thoughts & prayers are with the family. From: Ric Porter eMail: [email protected] City: Hawarden State: Iowa Relationship: Friend Message: Bruce and Laura, Our sympathy to you with the death of your father. He must have enjoyed his profession very much! You will be in our thoughts and our prayers. Ric and Cynthia Porter From: Charlene Brower eMail: [email protected] City: Mesa State: Arizona Relationship: Former teacher with the Lubachs Message: Dear Edie, I was saddened to hear of Howie's death, but watching the video brought back many happy memories of many years ago. God bless you and your family. From: Ervin & Louise Smidt eMail: [email protected] City: Artesia State: CA Relationship: cousin to Edith Message: To Edith and family, You have our sympathy at this as you grieve the loss of a husband, father and grandfather. Our thoughts and prayers are with you ... Erv and Louise