Obituary of William Kubiak

Beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

Bill Kubiak, 78, took his final paddle in this world Thursday, November 7th, at Open Arms Assisted Living in Duluth surrounded by loved ones.

Bill was born November 28, 1945 in Owatonna, MN to Edmund and Mary Kubiak. He was the second of five children and he and his siblings remained close their entire lives.

In 1969, Bill graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry where he was an active member of the Psi Omega Dental Fraternity. He started his practice in Duluth, MN and had an impactful career, volunteering both as a teacher at Lake Superior College and an active member in the Northeastern District Dental Society. Bill was well known not only for his dental skills, but more importantly, his human skills. He had a knack for putting his patients at ease and making the experience enjoyable. There were lots of jokes involved! Bill retired in 2012.

Bill married Donella Smith on May 8, 1971. They shared many adventures together, including raising three kids, Sara, Jim and John. After they both retired, they moved to a small lake outside of Cotton, MN. They met many new friends and  enjoyed many new endeavors. Bill was especially fond of the ATV group, the rides they took and playing pickleball. He continued to volunteer, and he and Donella were active members of the Cotton Seniors Club. He also served as an at-large director of the Three Lakes Development Association.

Bill was always active and to watch him sit still was a sight to behold. If there was something to be done, he did it and there was no putting it off. He never met a nail, screw or piece of wood he didn’t think he’d need again. Bill had a lifelong love of the outdoors. He had wonderful memories of his time working at Sawbill Outfitters in the BWCA and all the camping, fishing, and hunting trips with his family and friends.

Bill is survived by his wife of 53 years, Donella. In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughter Sara Potswald and her children Paige and Liam, his son Jim (Anna) and their children, Lydia, Wyatt and Charlie, and his son John (Kate) and their children Luke and Beau. He has four great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Ibby (Maury) Gloster, Mary (Hugh) Norsted and his baby brother and best friend, Bob (Dawn).

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edmund (ET) and Mary (Betty/Bam Bam) Kubiak and his older brother, Col. Thomas Kubiak.

A Send Off Service to celebrate Bill’s life will be held at 11am Saturday, December 21st with a gathering beginning at 10am at the Clyde Iron, Duluth. Bill’s. Send Off will continue with a luncheon reception immediately following the service. There will be lots of stories told to celebrate the amazing man Bill was and the life he lived. Please come prepared to share not only the stories, but jokes will be required! Bill also requested a party at the Cotton Community Center. We are planning that in the summer of 2025, details to follow. In lieu of flowers, Bill would like donations made to Old School Lives to support the Cotton community.