Richard C. Hlubek

Richard Hlubek, age 56, of Shellrock, IA, formerly of Fort Atkinson, IA, died Sunday, February 3, 2008, at the Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo, IA, after complications from diabetes and renal disease. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 5, 2008, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson, IA, by Rev. David Beckman. Burial will be in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Ft. Atkinson at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday. Friends may call on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008, from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Chekal Chapel in Fort Atkinson. There will be a scripture service and a time of sharing at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Richard Clement “Rich” Hlubek was born on November 23, 1951, the son of Clement and Mathilda (Balk) Hlubek in Decorah, Iowa. Rich grew up in Fort Atkinson. He attended St. John’s Nepomucene Elementary School and graduated from Turkey Valley High School. He worked at John Deere in Waterloo, Iowa and later at Featherlite Industries in Nashua, Iowa. Rich married Debra Mast in 1972 in Cresco, Iowa. He attended Hawkeye Community College and earned a Bachelors’ Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Northern Iowa. He further studied at Riverland Community College in Austin, MN. Rich had lived the last nine years in Shellrock. He was noted for his expertise in cars and was a Mopar enthusiast. He loved kolaches; was passionate about Chrysler products; and enjoyed the music of Dire Straits and attending their concerts. Richard’s survivors include his son: Dustin Hlubek, Indianapolis, IN. Two grandchildren: Mikayla and Nathan. One sister: Jeanette (Mel) Dietzenbach, Decorah, IA. One brother: Robert (Maggie) Hlubek, Ridgeway, IA and several nieces and nephews. Rich was preceded in death by his father: Clement in 1990 and his mother: Mathilda in 1995.