Donald Francis Hrubes

     Donald Francis Hrubes, 77 years old, was born January 1, 1940 in Britt, IA, and was the eldest son of Frank and Alice (Rokos) Hrubes. He was baptized at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan and grew up on a farm close to his large extended family in rural Britt, IA. Don started school at a one-room country schoolhouse near his home that served the Bohemian community. His first language was Bohemian and English was his second language. He learned to farm working with his father and always loved the land and farming. Don graduated from Garner High School and took a refrigeration course after graduation. He was a jack of all trades and worked at a variety of jobs in the farming off-season but always intended to take over the farm. He loved being social and owned a speed boat with a number of friends and enjoyed many hours on Iowa Lakes.

      One of his joys was music and dancing. At one fateful dance, he met a teacher originally from Wesley and Donna Bleich captured his heart. After a whirlwind courtship, they married ten months later on August 11, 1969, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Wesley, IA. He moved to Spencer, Iowa, where she had a new counseling job and they lived in Spencer for the remainder of their lives. Their three children: Debbie, Diane and Daniel were born and raised in Spencer.

     The most important things in his life were his family and his faith. He cooked all the weeknight meals for his family, played board games on Sunday, and took his turns tucking in his children and reading them stories at night. He was kind and thoughtful and birthdays always included flowers, cake and sometimes a balloon. If you were sick, he made soup or something special. If it needed fixed, he took care of it. His children didn’t learn how to drive without learning how to fix the car. He and his wife modeled what a loving relationship should look like and the house was filled with love and laughter.

     He was a lifelong Catholic and sent all his children to Sacred Heart School and is currently sponsoring his grandson Eli’s education at St. Francis Catholic School, West Des Moines, IA. He provided an example of lifelong service and hard work. He cleared numerous snowy driveways for the past 30 years and in retirement mowed a number of lawns in the summer. He only gave up the business two weeks ago.

     During his work career, Don worked at Globe Machinery and Supply and eventually became a salesman. He also worked at Tiffco, Lefkow Supply, and Briggs Supply. His last job was at the Everly School District in maintenance. He loved working with students and teachers. During his retirement, he continued to consult and stay busy using his knowledge from all his previous experiences. After his wife’s death, he continued to care for grandson Curt and would care for him when he wasn’t in school. He was a 4th Degree in the Knight of Columbus and was active in the Lions Club since he moved to town. He made many friends over the years in everything he did and everywhere he went.

     He died October 28, 2017 in hospice care at Spencer Hospital. He is survived and missed greatly by: daughters Debbie (Alan) Hummel of West Des Moines, and Diane (Patrick) Rohan of Ruthven and son Dan Hrubes of Spencer; grandsons Elijah Hummel and Curt Rohan; a sister Sr. Janet Hrubes, SSF; brother-in-laws Dick (Judy) Bleich and Vern Olson; sister-in-law Rosemary Bleich; uncle Clarence Hrubes; aunt Leona Hrubes, numerous nieces and nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his wife Donna, his parents, brother-in-law and sister-in-law as well as numerous aunts and uncles. 

SERVICES

OFFICIATING

CASKET BEARERS

VISITATION

MUSIC

INTERMENT