Edward D Kubesh

Edward D Kubesh, age 90, of Rhinelander, died on January 29, 2026, at his home. He was born on September 11, 1935, in Rhinelander, the son of August and Ann (Meyers) Kubesh.

Ed attended Rhinelander High School. He enlisted in the Army and served four years; half in Korea and half in Washington. He returned home, married his childhood girlfriend, Pat Glinski and later had two wonderful children, Laurie and Mike. Ed and Pat were married 67 years.

Ed was employed at the Rhinelander paper mill for over thirty years. We have debated as to which times were “work” and which parts were just “being there.” He retired in 1998.

When not working, Ed coached the Rhinelander Little League for around 15 years. Until this day, his ballplayers still called him “Coach.” He loved fishing for walleye, bullheads or anything that bit. He especially liked ice fishing with his buddies Bill Koenig and Terry Urquhart. A shout out to Mitch Olson for taking him out for one of his last fight trips some years ago.

Ed led an active life, including the day he passed. His weekly schedule consisted of working out at the YMCA, with one day of playing cribbage at Rocky’s, another at Kenny’s Country Bar with “the Cribbage Bunch,” whom he loved dearly, Wednesdays were reserved to play cribbage with his best friend, Greg Huempfner, Friday fish fries, and ended with Sundays at “The Huempfners” for morning coffee, storytelling which involved a lot of jokes. Evenings and Saturdays were filled in with NASCAR, doing crossword puzzles and making banana bread. But none of this was done without him chewing on a toothpick … he always had a toothpick on the side of his mouth.

If there was a guy who knew the history of Rhinelander, it was Kube. He put his knowledge to good use by volunteering as a docent at the Rhinelander Historical Society Museum. Visitors loved him because he interjected interesting historical side stories or added a bit of his own personal experience.

Kube loved his Wisconsin sports. He was a part-time Packer fan, but a full-time Brewers fan. He and Pat enjoyed a friendly banter and watched every game.

Ed’s “signature” was telling stories, but more so telling jokes! For all of you who knew Kube, I’ll bet you can remember a joke he told you. It’s hard to imagine how he remembered all of the details to so many jokes. We could fill up a book about Ed’s life, but could never say enough about him.

Ed was a fun-loving, strong-willed guy, which some might say a bit stubborn, and left a positive, jovial feeling when you met him. He was a friend to one and all. He went out on his own terms; as they say, “I did it my way!”

Thank you for being his friend.

Ed is survived by his wife Patricia (Glinski) Kubesh, his daughter Laurie Kubesh-Little, his son Michael (Melanie) Kubesh, his grandchildren Nicholas and Megan, his sister Georgie, his brother Roger and his doggie buddy Kobe. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Kitty Barber and his brothers Cyril and Richard. 

A visitation with military honors to follow will be held on Friday, March 20, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Carlson Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers a memorial is being established in Ed’s name and any gifts may be directed to his family. You may leave your private condolences for the Kubesh family at www.carlsonfh.com. The Carlson Funeral Home, 715-369-1414, is serving the Kubesh family.