Norbert John Gubbels (Osmond)

Norbert John Gubbels, 89, of Osmond, Nebraska passed away August 15, 2014 at the Osmond Care Center, surrounded by family. Services will be held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, August 19, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Osmond. The Rev. Michael Swanton will officiate with burial in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be Monday at the church beginning at 5:00 PM with a rosary at 7:30 PM. Ashburn Funeral Homes is providing arrangements.

Norbert was born August 2, 1925 in Osmond to Mathias and Cecilia (Krienert) Gubbels. He graduated from St. Mary Catholic Grade School. Norbert served as a Private in the United States Army during World War II from 1943 to 1946. He fought in the Battle of the Huertgen Forest and the Battle of the Bulge, earning the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge. After the war, Norbert returned to farming, near Osmond.

He married Rita Knuever on October 29, 1951 at West Point, Nebraska. They farmed and raised their 10 children, southeast of Osmond. Norbert enjoyed traveling, designing things in his tool shop, visiting with family, friends and strangers, but most of all he enjoyed driving the countryside watching the crops grow. Norbert was a member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 7838, American Legion Post 326 and the Catholic Order of Foresters.

He is survived by his children, Raymond (Betty) Gubbels of Osmond, Geraldine (Ken) Paul of Columbus, Jane (Robert) Mattini of Omaha, Duane (Annette) Gubbels of Osmond, John (Laurie) Gubbels of Osmond, Mary (Stephen) Kenny of Omaha, Teresa (Richard) Kester of Clearwater, Kathleen (Randall) Kaster of Omaha, Elaine (Erik) Nielsen of Austin, Texas, and Patricia (Grant) True of Osmond, 38 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, sister Mary Ann (Frank) Peschel of Osmond, Lavine (Gerald) Pint of Pierce, Arlene (Mel) Smith of York, and sister-in-law Bernadine Stech of Osmond. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and brothers, Jerome and Richard Gubbels.