Russell J. Bublitz

Winona, MNRussell John Bublitz September 3, 1923 - January 20, 2009Russell Bublitz, 85, of Winona died Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital with his family at his side. Russell died due to complications after breaking his hip. Russell was born to William and Elizabeth (Braatz) Bublitz on September 3, 1923 in Wyattville, MN. Russell married Florence Steinfeldt on February 16, 1943. He worked in St. Paul at the paper mill and then moved his family to a farm above Cedar Valley in 1946. He stood tall and proud of his family and his farm. He and Florence lived on the farm until 2000 and then moved to their home in Winona. Besides milking cows and operating the farm, Russell had many other talents and jobs, including carpentry at all of our homes and at his church, he was the chairman of Pleasant Hill Township, he worked at the local garage and played his guitar and entertained us. He loved to entertain family and friends by singing and playing the guitar at every birthday, holiday, or just after a good day of making hay. He sang with all his heart and we will keep singing his songs. "I had a good life and a good wife" he said. Russell is survived by his wife of 66 years, Florence (Steinfeldt) Bublitz, his daughters Darleen (Frank) Brand of Lake City, Joan (Jerry) Zenke of Dakota; son, John Bublitz of Winona; sister Bernice (Willard) Trester, 12 grandchildren; 18 great-great grandchildren and several neices and nephews.He was preceded in death by two daughters Dianne (Ole) Heyer on May 9, 2006 and June (Jo) Bublitz on February 19, 2008; and several other family members who shared his life. Pallbearers will be his Grandsons: Rhett Zenke, Garth Zenke, Jeff Brand, John Bublitz Jr. , Bill Bublitz, Pat Ebert (in-law), Luke Fuchsel (in-law), John Fletcher (in-law) and Brad Haagenson (in-law).Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2009, at 11:00am, at St. Lukes Ev. Lutheran Church in Pickwick, MN. Spring interment will take place in the Pickwick Cemetery. Friends may call at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service Hansen Goodview Chapel on Friday from 4-8:00pm and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Please share a memory of Russell with the family, sign his online guestbook or view his video tribute when it becomes available online at: www.hofffuneral.com
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/50038