Linda Louise Rubash

Linda Louise Grant Rubash, 73, of rural Geary County, passed away October 19, 2024.

Born February 3, 1951, in Junction City, Kansas, her parents, Richard “Red” Merrick Grant and Agnes Cecelia Hager called her Lindy; her siblings called her Lulu; and her grandkids called her Grandma Ruby.

 Lindy cultivated an incredible work ethic at a young age in the family restaurant in Junction City. After graduation from St. Francis Xavier Catholic School, she continued to work in restaurants to put herself through her initial studies at Kansas State University. She worked in healthcare, hospitality and agriculture up the western seaboard and east to Milwaukee and New York City. During her mid-twenties, Lindy and her sister Catherine backpacked across Europe – each was confident the other knew where they were going, although neither did. Her adventures also took her to India, and she returned to upstate New York with a story about a guru. Soon after, Lindy returned to Junction City with a fresh perspective on the definition of home. 

 Lindy found herself along the banks of Humboldt Creek. There was a fire, tent, car accident, medically induced coma and some young GI from Minnesota that wouldn’t shut up for the next 40-some-odd years. An epic love story, of which Lindy remained quite skeptical (as it encroached heavily on her sense of individuality), had begun. She married Glen John Rubash on November 24, 1978, in a barefoot ceremony at St. Joseph’s Church on McDowell Creek Road, and they returned to their home on Humboldt Creek, eventually welcoming three sons.

 After several years of experience in Montessori education, Lindy founded the St. Francis Xavier preschool program, breathing new life into the school. While growing the program, she continued her education, earning a degree in early childhood development. Through her work at the preschool, she formed long lasting bonds with her students, their families and the community. She taught her two younger sons and retired after teaching her oldest grandchild, Ivan Rubash. 

 During the preschool years, Lindy also worked at Geary County Community Hospital engaging and comforting so many in the community. The work was challenging, and she continued to speak fondly of her experiences and the wonderful people she met.

 After retiring from the preschool, Lindy dedicated herself to nurturing her grandchildren, family and friends. With her grandchildren living so close, she was able to watch all three of them come down the driveway to visit her as they grew. Though she did not have a daughter of her own, she always included her niece Jennifer as her child and loved her son James as a grandchild.

 Lindy is survived by her three sons, Caleb (Anne) Rubash of rural Geary County, Kansas, Jonah (Julie) Rubash of southern California, and David (Jessica) Grant-Rubash of Toronto, Canada; three grandchildren, Ivan, Victor, and Astrid Rubash; niece, Jennifer (Andrew Gerstner) Flynn-Grant of Chicago; grand-nephew James Merrick Gerstner; sister, Catherine Grant Fitzwater; three brothers, James Grant, Jeff (Teresa) Grant, and Kevin Grant. She is survived by many close friends – you know who you are. 

 As Hemingway wrote, “Every man has two deaths, when he is buried in the ground and the last time someone says his name.” If this is true, Lindy will outlive us all.

 Lindy was preceded in death by her husband, Glen John Rubash, her parents, and her brother, Richard Grant.

 There will be rosary prayer at 5 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Junction City, Kansas; followed by a visitation from 5:30-7. A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, November 8, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Lindy will be cremated and buried alongside her husband, overlooking the Humbolt Creek valley, in a private ceremony.

 In lieu of flowers, direct memorial contributions to the St. Francis Xavier Catholic School, or St. Joseph’s Church, care of the Geary County Historical Society.