Steve Clair Rubis
Steve Clair Rubis died December 17, 2020 at his home in Worthington, MN He was born March 13, 1946 to Steve and Shirley Rubis in Jackson, MN. Steve grew up on a farm in Lakefield, MN, the oldest of 7 children. His grandparents had a farm nearby and he spent his youth living and working between these two farms, going to country school and attending Lakefield High School. He was a member of the baseball and basketball teams and played quarterback on the football team and trombone in the band.
He attended the University of Minnesota and Mankato State where he received his B.A. in math and physics with a teaching certificate in both subjects. He taught math and physics as well as coached basketball and football in Hastings, Kerkhoven and Pipestone, MN.
In 1975 Steve and his wife Laura and family moved to Worthington, MN where he began full-time work selling life insurance with Franklin Life and eventually became a financial advisor. His work in this field was always based in service to others and he maintained life-long relationships with his clients and was trusted by many.
Service was at the heart of Steve’s life work, whether in raising his family, coaching and teaching students, advising clients or just encountering people. A former student in Pipestone credited him with mentoring people in both worldly and spiritual achievements: “Steve had respect of players and introduced me to something more than basketball; he taught me about life.”
Steve had a rich community life which involved singing in multiple choral groups such as the Worthington Chamber Singers, serving on the Board of the Concert Association, volunteering in music and sports organizations in which his kids were involved. Mostly, though, Steve was interested in every individual member of the community whether he knew them or not and often got into deep conversation with people he had only just met. He loved to connect people, a talent that culminated in helping to organize an all-school reunion for his alma mater, the Lakefield High School SummerFest that closed down Main Street.
Steve was a member of the Lutheran churches in Worthington and Fairmont, MN. He was active in Bible study, led mission trips to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, performed yearly in Handel’s Messiah and was often requested to sing at funerals and weddings. Music was a central part of his life, and he constantly hummed and sang and enjoyed attending his children’s concerts. He loved church hymns and each time he sang one, he said it was his favorite.
Steve was passionate about and dedicated to his family and not only was blessed with five children of his own but gained even more family by marrying his wife Jolene in 2005. He grew up with 6 siblings and was so accustomed to having the din of family that he purposely played background noise when there weren’t enough people around him.
Survived by his wife Jolene, children Erica Rubis (Mitja Hmeljak), Meredith Beightel (Chris), Emily Rubis Yamagata (Jonah), Ingrid Rubis, Stephen Rubis (Bethany), and Dan Gibson (Helen); eleven grandchildren and one great-grandchild; four siblings, Tim Rubis (Linda), Craig Rubis (Karin), Keith Rubis (Pamela) and Marie Rubis Bauer (Michael), and one brother-jn-law Bruce Siria (Rene). He was preceded in death by his parents, Steve and Shirley Rubis, brother Paul Rubis, sister Rene Siria and step-son Thomas Gibson.
Private family services were held on Monday, December 21, 2020, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Worthington, MN, with Pastor Mark Schreiber officiating. Burial was in the Holy Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Lakefield, MN. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Benson Funeral Home in Worthington was in charge of the arrangements.