Merle D Rubish

Merle Rubish, 85, of Wahpeton, passed away Wednesday, March 5, 2025, in Fargo, ND. A Memorial Service in his honor will be held Monday, April 7, 2025, at Evergreen United Methodist Church (Wahpeton) at 11 AM. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. Military honors and burial will take place at Fairview Cemetery (Wahpeton). Pastor Kori Lehrkamp will officiate.

Merle Dale Rubish was born in Breckenridge, MN, on March 11, 1939, to Ralph and Fern (Reese) Rubish. He grew up on the family farm near Tyler, ND, and attended rural school at Summit #4 through sixth grade. From there he continued his education in Fairmount where he graduated from Fairmount High School in 1957.

In June of 1957, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served as an Engineman 2nd Class. On October 9, 1959, he married his high school sweetheart, Jean West. He was honorably discharged early in 1961 due to the death of his father at which time Merle and Jean returned to North Dakota to take over the family farm. They also became parents for the first time in 1961 when their daughter, Barbara, was born.

Merle joined the Naval Reserve in 1962, and from 1963 to 1967, he was a Naval Reserve Recruiter. During this time, they completed their family with the birth of Kimberly in 1964 and Dale in 1966. They continued to maintain the family farm while Merle took on part-time work at the Tyler Farmers’ Elevator. In 1974, he started working seasonally at Minn-Dak Farmers’ Coop, and in 1977, he took a full-time position with them, which took him through the next 25 years.

He remained with the reserves until 1979, leaving with the attained rank of Engineman Chief Petty Officer. At that time, he transferred to the North Dakota National Guard where he served until 1984 when he retired at the rank of Sergeant First Class after 24 and ½ years of service to our Country. Merle was a paid lifetime member of the American Legion and was very active in Post 106 in Fairmount, ND, serving as Commander three times in all, Adjutant for many years, and even Post Chaplain for a period. He received his 50-year certificate in 2019, a proud American who loved his country.

Merle enjoyed life and was willing to help anyone. He valued the work of Habit for Humanity and personally worked on homes in Fergus Falls and Breckenridge, MN, and Wahpeton and Fairmount, ND. He also found joy in restoring old tractors and machinery.

Merle and Jean travelled extensively throughout the years. Among his favorite adventures were a cruise through the Panama Canal, the Veteran’s Honor Flight with his son and a trip to Europe where he got to walk on the Beach at Normandy.

He was a member of Evergreen United Methodist Church where he sang in the choir for many years and served on various committees. He also shared his voice and love of music with the Alphean Male Chorus for over 30 years, retiring in 2016 when his voice told him it was time to quit.

On March 5, 2025, Merle went home to the Lord.

Merle is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jean, daughters Barbara (Don) Olson, Kimberly (Rodney) Bade and son Dale (Jacki) Rubish, grandchildren Amy (Ryan) Menholt, Laura (Matt) DesEnfants, Casey (Bailey) Bade, Kristie (Michael) Duch, Emma (Josh) Blochowicz, Tess Rubish and Chloe Rubish (Alec Helgeson), great-grandchildren Ryder Menholt, Rhyse Menholt, Helen DesEnfants, Alice DesEnfants, Reagan Bade, Aaron Bade, Quinn Bade, Ava Duch, Piper Duch, Sister-in-Law, Rosemary Janke, Brother-in-Law Robert Aguilar, and several cousins, nieces & nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that you send donations to the Veterans Honor Flight of ND in Merle’s memory.