Ella-Mae Kubes

Ella-Mae Kubes passed away with family by her side on February 4, 2024. Born to Rufus and Rozella (Hammond) McBride April 21, 1931. Ella-Mae was the youngest of four children (Eugene, Elaine, and Donna) and spent most of her childhood in Lincoln except three years in elementary school when they lived in San Francisco with her maternal grandmother. Growing up on Lake Street, Ella-Mae and her siblings frequently skated on the pond by the hospital. During high school, she worked downtown at Brandeis in the jewelry department.

Ella Mae attended Lincoln High School where she met her husband of 65 years, Alfred Kubes (Al), at a Lincoln High basketball game right before Christmas. Al shipped out to boot camp in January and came back in May of that year to get married at Ella-Mae’s parents’ house. The wedding had to be postponed by one week because Al was delayed returning from boot camp.

Ella-Mae was an army wife for seven years in England. Ella-Mae and Al enjoyed their time traveling all over Europe and England; exploring the many countries, cultures and iconic places. This instilled a life-long love of travel. Upon return from England, the couple was elated to learn that she was pregnant with their first child and only child Michael S. Kubes (1955).

In her younger days, Ella-Mae was quite a bowler! The young family enjoyed traveling within the U.S., camping and eating Valentino's pizza on Sunday evenings. After returning Ella-Mae had several jobs but the most fun was managing Duffy Fireworks for 35 years where her son Michael met his wife Nancy Vontz. Her family was by far the most important thing in her life. Family celebrations most frequently occurred at Mike and Nancy’s house blending both extended families. The Vontzs and Kubes created their unique and combined family traditions that will continue to honor Ella-Mae's life such as green punch on Christmas, her special chocolate chip cookies, playing cards, and frequently going out to eat with as many family members as possible. Ella-Mae adored her grandchildren, Chris (Gayel) Scott, and Matthew (Kat), and great-grandchildren, Zoe Anderson, Oliver and Owen Kubes, Bennet Beaux, and Bella Kubes.

The one place Ella-Mae and Al didn’t make it to during their time in Europe was Norway. So, in 2013 Ella-Mae finally made it to Norway with Mike and Nancy on a cruise that included Norway and Northern Europe. Ella-Mae's love of exploring different places, cultures, and countries continued by cruising with Mike, Nancy, as well as other friends and family. In 2014 the family cruised to the Baltic capitals and in 2015 explored Australia and New Zealand by land and sea for three weeks. One of the highlights of this trip was Ella Mae holding Nellie, a koala bear in Cannes.

Ella-Mae was always ready for a new adventure—especially if it involved family. In 2014 the family vacationed in the Sandhills at Uncle Bucks. One of the activities was floating down the Loup River in a cattle tank. To everyone's surprise, Ella-Mae, already an octogenarian, wanted to go and had great fun enjoying the river and watching her kids and grandkids.

Ella Mae was a frequent guest of Tim Vontz and Kevin Heaney in Fort Lauderdale and was always shown wonderful time. Kevin has always been excellent about sending postcards of where they visit to broaden her horizons. Tom and Dawn had Ella-Mae to their house numerous times both in Kansas and Nebraska. Since moving back to Nebraska Tom and Dawn have had frequent visits with Ella Mae that often involved their adult children who considered Ella Mae their grandma as well.

While at High Plains Memory Care Ella Mae cared for fellow resident and family member Marilyn Vontz. Both families (Kubes and Vontz) appreciated watching this friendship grow into a deep and reciprocal bond until Marilyn’s death on September 26, 2023. In the habit of visiting his mom and Ella Mae almost daily, Dan continued his daily visits to Ella Mae after his Mom’s death and would keep her in touch with the rest of Vontz’s by phone. She so enjoyed seeing Dan and when possible Dan’s daughter Brittany Moffitt, her husband Brad, and their little ones. Grandma always loved babies and kids.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 2:00 P.M. at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 S 14th St., Lincoln, NE 68512. Memorials are designated to Aseracare Hospice. Services will be livestreamed, a link is available on www.lincolnfh.com