Mahlon Charles Grubish

MAHLON CHARLES GRUBISH, age 95, of Waterville, died peacefully on Friday, January 24, 2025, in Faribault

Born to Charles Stephen and Marie Clare (Stangler) Grubish on August 24, 1929, at Waseca Hospital, he was the oldest of 8 children. Mahlon attended a one-room country school south of Waterville which was on his home farmland. He farmed with his father and eventually took over the family farm, delivering canned milk to the creamery, and later trucking seed corn. He first had dairy cows, then raised corn, soybeans, cattle, pigs, and chickens. He truly loved the land and farming. 

Mahlon was a member of the National Guard unit of Mankato, MN, and was activated in 1951 during the Korean Conflict to Alabama where he served as a mechanic in the US Army for 2 years. He was a life-long member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Waterville and served as the trustee for the church council, was a member of the Knights of Columbus, serving as Grand Knight. He served on the Blooming Grove Township Board for 32 years. Mahlon enjoyed playing cards, John Deere antique tractors at Pioneer Power, traveling to Rome, Alaska, and Hawaii, visiting with friends and family, and watching Westerns. Even at the age of 90 he still drove across the state of SD. He actively worked on the 3rd-generation farm with his son Jim until his mid-80’s. He was always the first to help a family member or friend in need. 

He was married to Gertrude Furr on November 26, 1955, at Sacred Heart Church in Waseca. They raised 3 children, Rose Marie (Jerry) Thiedich, of Nicholasville, KY, James Charles of Waterville, and Catherine Ann Wilson, of Rapid City, SD. He is survived by his 3 children and 5 grandchildren: Eric Thiedich, Cristian Grubish, and Avery, Reece, and Ty Wilson; sister, Charlotte Kaiser; brothers: Paul Grubish, Peter Grubish, Stan (Marilyn) Grubish; brother-in-law, Jim Rooney; many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends. 

He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife; sister Mary Rooney; and brothers: Norbert and Merle (Phyllis) Grubish; daughter-in-law, Rita Grubish.

Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at the Waterville Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral Homes. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM on Friday, January 31, 2025, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Waterville. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Waterville.