George Kubik, 88, Manning, passed away peacefully at 12:10 p.m., Saturday, September 12, 2015. His last days were spent comfortably at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Mott, North Dakota. George’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Monday, September 21, 2015 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Msgr. Patrick Schumacher as the celebrant. Interment will follow at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Military honors will follow the Mass and be provided by the Dickinson Honors Team. Visitation will be on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, with a vigil at 3 p.m., followed by a rosary, with Deacon Bob Stockert presiding.
It would be an understatement to say that George had led a very full and interesting life. He was born on May 24, 1927 in Dickinson, and spent his early years on a farm & ranch northeast of there. George joined the Merchant Marines in 1945 and served as ship’s oiler-engineer until 1947. This overseas tour of duty would spark his love for travel in the following years. He married Agnes Steckler on November 22, 1949 and shortly after began his career as a farmer-rancher with his beloved wife. On a small farm in Dunn County they grew spring wheat and raised Angus and Polled Hereford cattle. They also had milk cows, and ran a small hog operation. Their first child came in 1952 and as the family grew, so did their farm.
As George continued to farm and ranch he became more active in the agricultural community. He joined the National Farmers Organization and helped to form the first Dunn County NFO Chapter. He was elected to the North Dakota State Wheat Commission and served for 12 years. As a Wheat Commissioner he traveled to countries in the Middle East, Europe, and the Pacific Rim to promote and improve markets for North Dakota hard red spring wheat. George was a 1st and 4th Degree long time member of Council #1515 of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a “45 year” member of the Dickinson Elks Lodge #1137. George was one of the first North Dakota ranchers to sell Polled Hereford breeding hefers to producers from Chile, South America. He “loved to farm” and was happiest when driving a tractor or a combine, or watching his children do the same.
George was a hard working, reliable, trustworthy man that loved his family deeply. Some would say that he possessed a tough guy image, yet he would give the “shirt off his back” to anyone in need. He had a jovial and energetic laugh, and loved to tell stories and “visit” with friends and relatives. George loved to dance, and with Agnes at his side they conquered many a dance floor. He loved to travel and take his family on vacations every June, usually to the Rocky Mountains or Canada. George loved his country, and he loved a good American made classic car. He was a man cut from the very land on which he farmed and ranched.
George Kubik is survived by four children and their spouses: Rosalind (Bob) Sickler, Russell (Ione) Kubik, Kurt (Gail) Kubik, and Klayton (Susan) Kubik. He was predeceased by his wife Agnes and his youngest son Mike (Darla) Kubik. George has 13 grandchildren: Aaron Hauck, Alia Green, Jamie Kubik, Jared Kubik, Tyler Pelton, Rachael Kubik, Jenny Dewing, Mikale Kubik, Liza Kubik, Jacob Kubik, Jesse Kubik, Amber Dankmyer, and Lucas Kubik. He was also blessed with 11 great-grandchildren.
