Charles "Chuck" Schubbe (1934-2024)

Charles “Chuck” Schubbe, age 89, a resident of The Pillars of Mankato, passed away on June 15, 2024. A Celebration of Life will be held on July 28, 2024, at Hosanna Lutheran Church of Mankato. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m., Service at 2:00 p.m. and a gathering with light refreshments, music, and conversation (The After Glow) will be held from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Burial will occur later. SUMMIT Funeral & Cremation of Inver Grove Heights oversees arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Land O’ Lakes District of the Barbershop Harmony Society, St Croix Hospice, or American Cancer Society. To livestream the service use this link: https://boxcast.tv/view/charles-schubbe-funeral-xd6zir2fslyyfbeniada

Chuck was born December 31, 1934, the 6th of 9 children, to Elwin C. Schubbe and Melinda (Benz) Schubbe, at their home in Beauford Twp rural Mapleton. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St John’s Lutheran Church of Mapleton. He began school in a one room schoolhouse, later transferring to the Pemberton School, graduating in 1952. He was the senior class president, participated in Baseball, Basketball, and Football. He was also in Letterman’s club, played drums in band, chorus, the School Annual staff, Dramatics, and Student Council.

Chuck was a hard worker and worked to support his family. He first worked on his parents’ farm, harnessing the horses at the age of 6. He always enjoyed seeing a team of good horses. Following graduation, he left the farm for a job in Springfield at the Wenzel Shoe Store. The owner of the store was in poor health and help was needed. There he met the love of his life – Audrey Wenzel. Until recently he could tell you what she was wearing the first time they met “Burgundy corduroy pants, a white shirt, and bright red lipstick.” They were married on August 14, 1955. He enlisted in the United States Army, stationed in San Antonio, TX at Fort Sam Houston. He was trained as a cook, serving for two years at the Brooks Army Field Hospital, then continued in the US Army National Guard and was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sargent (E6), in June of 1961.

Chuck and Audrey returned to the Mankato area. He attended Mankato State, graduating with a degree in Business. During this time, he sold Bibles to support his family. He and Audrey moved to Pemberton, and he became the manager of Pemberton Farmers Lumber, serving and building homes in the area. The Lumber Yard was destroyed by fire in 1964. It was rebuilt and eventually incorporated the town grocery store and gas station. With an eye on community development, the Lumber Yard helped establish Pemberton, at one time, as the fastest growing community in Blue Earth County. Chuck and Audrey moved to a farm outside of Pemberton which would be their home for over 60 years. He farmed the land with his brother and continued working his full-time job. He and Audrey raised 4 children and lived there until they moved to Mankato in 2019.

Chuck cared about his community. He was an original member of the Pemberton Fire Department and served as a leader of the local Boy Scout Troop. He faithfully attended his beloved Medo Lutheran Church for over 50 years, until it closed in 2019. He served as a council member, choir member, Bible Study leader, and a Sunday School teacher, sharing the faith his mom had inspired in him. He often recalled how his mom and family would sing hymns to and from church. Chuck was always teaching – his background in business, his fascination with the power of the computer, and his love of teaching led him to a career in teaching. He was able serve as a short-term substitute teacher in the JWP district. He taught at Rasmussen College and at the Federal Correctional Institute Sandstone Federal Prison. And he taught in the Minnesota Technical College System – teaching in Pine City, Faribault, Albert Lea, and Mankato. He was awarded the “First Annual Pine Technical Institute Community Service Award” for his "Outstanding Contribution to Student Development and Community Service.” He recognized the needs of the students in his classes and formed Schubbe Business Systems, consulting with small businesses to help them to succeed. He was proud to say that no business that he worked with ever went bankrupt. He was recognized nationally and named “President of the Small Business Educators Association.” Although his family gave him 3 retirement parties, he always went back to work, working until the age of 87. He was always teaching, sharing his faith, and offering the wisdom gained from his experience.

His life was not all work, he enjoyed golfing, camping with family and friends, caring for his farm, building, or doing projects with his children and grandchildren, and always willing to help those around him. He was known to give away family furniture to help others in need. He loved to host family gatherings (doing the cooking) and was overjoyed that his granddaughter Amy (Bryan) chose to have their outdoor wedding at the farm. He also loved making breakfasts for his family – “no one makes pancakes like grandpa,” “Grandpa’s ham gravy is the best!” One of his greatest loves was music. Music of all kinds. Gospel, Country, The Gaithers, Daniel O’Donnell, Molly B, Bandwagon just to name a few, and a real love of Barbershop Music. Because he was a drummer, he did not learn to read music. He taught himself to play the notes and scales on the organ – helpful if you want to sing! And he was always willing to “bust a chord.” He was a member of Barbershop - both choruses and quartets – for over 40 years, The Mankato Riverblenders in particular. He held many positions within the Barbershop Harmony Society including Treasurer and President of the Land O’Lakes District. This District covers approximately 10,000 square miles – all of North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, and the western half of the Michigan Upper Peninsula USA, and all of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and the western half of Ontario, Canada. But his favorite position was singing the Baritone part with his Barbershop family. And he was very proud to sing with his sons – Tim and Thom – in the Mankato Riverblenders Barbershop Chorus and with his sons Tim and Thom, and daughter Sandy, in their “Home Grown Harmony” quartet.

Chuck is survived by his wife of almost 69 years, Audrey; by his children Susan (Bill Lorentz) Splinter, Timothy (Nancy) Schubbe, Thomas (Mary) Schubbe, and Sandy (Larry) Walsh. He took much joy in his grandchildren, Sarah Splinter, Amy (Bryan) Joyce, Luke (Sara Anderson) Splinter, Matthew (Donna) Schubbe, Jason Schubbe, Lindsey (Travis) Finch, Ellen Schubbe, James Schubbe, Marci Schubbe, and Emmalina Walsh. His joy increased with great grandchildren – Jackson, Olivia, Colin, and Ethan Joyce, Violet, Edwin, and Maven Finch. Siblings Donald Schubbe, James Schubbe, Marvin (Vivian) Schubbe, Shirley (Stan) Thompson, and Carol (Charles) Grams and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, parents in law, brothers Elwin (Al) and wife Adeline, Glenn and wife Jenny, sister Eileen Oldenburg, sisters-in-law Dorothy and Shirl. Brother-in-law James and wife Elaine, Sister-in-law Ellen and husband George Greiner, sister-in-law Joyce Bean, niece Janice Helfritz and her daughter Shannon Reuss, and nephews David Bean, Michael Greiner, Dean Schubbe, Craig, Jeff, and Troy Schubbe.

The family would like to thank his long-time physician Dr. John Benson, Sara Pitzer of the Mankato clinic Blue Stone staff, the St Croix hospice staff, and the wonderful and caring staff of The Pillars.

Chuck left a legacy of strong faith in God and love of family. Blessed be his memory.