James Hubka, 81

March 12,1944-

May 3, 2025

 

RICEVILLE - James Hubka, age 81, of Riceville, IA passed away on Saturday May 3, 2025 at Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage, IA under the great care of the hospital staff and St. Croix Hospice.

 Funeral service was held for James at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, May 10, 2025, at the Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home in Riceville, IA. Public visitation was held for two hours prior to the funeral, starting at 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will take place following the funeral at Howard Cemetery in Elma, IA.

 James Eugene Lund Hubka was born the third son of Frank and Helen (Lund) Hubka on March 12, 1944, at the Hastings Hospital in Elma, Iowa. He attended country school at Maple Leaf through grade 8, then went to Elma High School until his junior year when it closed and graduated from Crestwood High School in 1961.   James had many passions in his life, foremost being his family. 

He was united in marriage to Bonnie Alden on June 29, 1968, at the United Methodist Church in Riceville, IA. After their marriage, they made their family home in Riceville, Iowa.

James spent his life as a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He cherished his family and never missed a chance to talk about his grandkids. He was very active in his children and grandchildren's lives by attending their school and sporting events. Outside of events, he enjoyed watching and taking care of his grandkids.

 Anyone who met James will never forget his willingness to help out no matter what the situation was. James joined the Iowa National Guard where he achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant before retiring after 25 years of service. James farmed his entire life on the family farm, worked numerous years at White Farm in Charles City until its closing in 1993, and at the Riceville Community School in the 1990's. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and kids, riding his motorcycle (made many trips to Sturgis), attended car shows and swap meets, and going to concerts. 

He enjoyed visiting with others-often times his family would catch him on the phone with his lifelong friends Marlan Flugge and Larry Engels.

James is survived by his wife, Bonnie Hubka of Riceville; his children Christina Hubka of Riceville and Jim (Sally) Hubka of Spring Valley, MN; and his five grandchildren Garrison Hubka, Gavin Hubka, Gretchen Hubka, Gracelyn Hubka, and Jonathan Hatle; two sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews.

 He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, John Lund and Peter Hubka.