Erick Kuubits

Age 73, of Fridley, passed away September 22, 2016 after a valiant struggle with esophageal cancer. Preceded in death by parents, Oskar and Wilma. Survived by sisters, Sharon and Sylvia; brother, Elliott (Megan) of Whitefish, Montana; niece, Jennifer (Jay) Fischer; great nephews, Cody and Kyle Fischer; cousin, Michael Pakkala (Marguerite) as well as many good friends. Erick was born January 6, 1943 in Minneapolis and graduated from Washburn High School in 1961. He enlisted in the Marines in 1964, was stationed at Camp Pendleton and served one year in Viet Nam. After Honorable Discharge as Staff Sergeant in 1970 he stayed in California and attended Fullerton Community College. Erick moved back to Minneapolis where he worked in manufacturing and machine shop jobs. He retired in 2000 after a diagnosis of congestive heart failure. He diligently followed the rules of diet and exercise, and subsequently was able to spend many happy hours working on his motorcycles. Erick loved riding bike and camping with friends as well as visiting his brother in Montana. An especially fond memory for Erick was being part of a dory boat trip with Elliott down the Salmon River in Idaho. More recently Erick was working on restoring a 1950 Chevy five-window pickup truck and one of his few regrets was not being able to finish it. He was a soft-spoken and caring soul who made a point of staying in touch with people and helping whenever and wherever needed. He will be greatly missed. The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the exceptional Allina hospice care team at St. Therese of New Hope; all the doctors and staff who provided such devoted and personal care at Unity Hospital; and lastly to Dr. Mark Kraemer and his staff at Metropolitan Heart and Vascular Institute – they had truly become friends. Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM with a visitation one hour prior on Thursday, September 29, 2016 at Miller Funeral Home, 6210 Hwy 65 NE, Fridley. Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials preferred to any Viet Nam Veterans charity, or the American Heart Association.