Donald Earl Kubitz

Donald Earl Kubitz, age 94, of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, died June 10, 2025, at Ecumen/Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

He grew up and attended school in Friberg Township of Otter Tail County, Minnesota. He enlisted in the US Army in 1952 and was stationed in Germany, where he served as a tank gunner. Donny took classes for Diesel Mechanics. On April 24, 1959, Donald married Marlys Backstrom. They lived in Campbell, Minnesota for a short time before buying a farm in rural Pelican Rapids. They milked cows for years! He eventually retired from farming due to health issues. Still, Donny loved watching the birds out the window and keeping them fed, his daily journey to the mailbox, keeping up on the local news, and always looked forward to his weekly trips to the senior center to play cards with family friend Ordean Berg. Also, when his granddaughters were little, they spent a lot of time at “Grandpa’s daycare.” He was a long-time member of Central Lutheran Church and served on the church council as well as the board for Erhard’s Grove Township.

Donald is survived by his daughter Deanna (Jeff) Iwen of Glyndon, Minnesota, son Evan (Rena) Kubitz of Pelican Rapids, granddaughters Kayleigh Kubitz of Moorhead, Minnesota, Cassidy (Christopher Luistro) Kubitz of Wahpeton, North Dakota and Kirsten (Gene) Schleeter of West Fargo, North Dakota. He is also survived by brother Marlin (Bernice) Kubitz, sisters Gertrude Muckey, Lorice Seeba, and Luella Stramer, and sister-in-law Joyce Kubitz, as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Marlys, and siblings William Jr., Gerald, Ernest, Rebecka Vogel, and Glendora Nosal along with several in-laws.

Funeral services with Military Honors will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, June 18 at Central Lutheran rural Pelican Rapids.