Edward H. Dusbabek

In the morning hours of March 29th, Edward Dusbabek peacefully passed away in his sleep and was forever re-united in Heaven with his wife and love, Peggy. We are so grateful for the 90 years of life he had and enjoyed with the people he loved. On his birthday this past Thanksgiving, we honored our father and grandfather, with a special 90th Birthday family party! He was celebrated with the beautiful family he created and all of us will forever hold the memories we made together with him.

Edward Howard Dusbabek was born, raised, married, and settled with his family in his hometown of Faribault. He was the 8th child of 12 kids born to Walter and Ruth Dusbabek. He lived his childhood on farms around Faribault…Richland Township, then the Prairieville area east of Faribault. When he was just a baby, a tragic fire broke out in their farm home. His oldest sister, Betty, threw him in a laundry basket and dropped the basket to the ground below, saving his life. It created a lifelong bond between them and also, a great story of strength and resilience! Years later, when family would visit, he would take them for rides around town to see his old farms and the elementary schoolhouse he attended with his siblings. He was very proud of sharing stories about Faribault and the places where he grew up!

Ed attended his junior high years at Immaculate Conception School, and high school at Bethlehem Academy where he was introduced to sports…baseball, football, and basketball. Life on the farm allowed him to practice throwing balls a lot, and he learned how to pitch a baseball fast and hard against the fence. His Dad kept half the hay barn cleared for a make-shift “gym” so the kids could play basketball and have boxing matches. This is where he learned and developed his competitive spirit!

As a young man, sports played a huge role in shaping Ed’s life. He was “discovered” as a pitcher during his first game at Wapacuta Park…and from then on, he was always a pitcher, and his love of baseball changed his life. He played with the American Legion and went to the State American Legion Tournament 4 years. He played basketball and went to the State Tournament his senior year where B.A. gave it a good run, but lost in double overtime in their first game. He boxed in the Golden Gloves during high school and went to the State Tournament for boxing. He played football as a running back and was All-Conference his junior and senior years…then made All-State his senior year…one of the top 25 athletes in the state! He was very proud of this accomplishment. He then received a scholarship to play football for St. Thomas, and started as running back for 8 of 9 games as a freshman. But after one season, and lack of financial support, he was forced to leave college life. The highlight of his baseball days was on January 1, 1954, when he was invited to try out for the Washington Senators baseball team in Florida.

In October 1955, Ed joined the Army. He was stationed in Seattle, Washington, and played football, basketball, and baseball for the Army, traveling up and down the West Coast. He played baseball with some of the greats…Frank Howard and Billy Martin! Ed was discharged in 1957 but continued to play baseball with the Faribault Lakers and American Legion. And he participated by officiating basketball, baseball, and softball for another 9 years. Some of you may have experienced his “calls” in recreational softball! In 1992, he was chosen for the Faribault Sports Hall of Fame, an honor he acknowledged as one of his most appreciated athletic achievements.

Although sports were a defining part of his life, meeting his love and making a family ranked #1! On St. Patrick’s Day in 1960, Ed met Peggy Crow while at Harold’s (Al’s) Bar in Faribault! She was the love of his life, and they were married November 19, 1960, and raised 5 kids. Having a faith was very important to Ed, and as a devout Catholic, he raised his family having them attend I.C. Church and school. And because sports was an important piece of this life, he required his kids to participate in after-school sports each season. When he took over as coach for the recreational Cub Football program, he took his team from worst to 1st and undefeated for the 4 seasons he coached! Eventually, Ed and Peggy joined the Faribault Country Club and golf became the new sport for the family to enjoy! He played many tournaments, had 2 holes-in-one in his career, and at 86 years old, played over 100 rounds of golf! To this day, all 5 kids and many of his grandkids have embraced the love of golf as a lifetime sport.

Good, bad, or average, sports taught discipline, work ethic, commitment, competition and sportsmanship. If he wasn’t playing the sport, he was watching it. He and Peggy never missed a game or sports event when their kids were involved!

To provide for his family, Ed created a family business, Dusbabek Plastering and Taping. He continued operating this business until he retired years later. All of his kids were given the opportunity and experience to work with their Dad during the summer. Watching him and the physically challenging work he did each day, gave them an appreciation for his drive and commitment to work hard for his family.

Life at their Roberds Lake home gave Ed a place to relax and enjoy retirement. Summers were endless with boat rides, fishing off the dock, relaxing hammock swings, and making giant bonfires for roasting s’mores. Ed and Peggy created a family retreat that allowed everyone to gather and make forever memories.

Please help us celebrate the life of Edward Dusbabek on Saturday, April 5th, 11:00am at Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Faribault. Visitation with the Dusbabek family will be on Friday, April 4th from 4:00-7:00pm at Parker Kohl Funeral Home and will continue Saturday morning at the church for one hour prior to services.

The Dusbabek family would appreciate donations be made to Youth Connect! (faribaultyouthconnect.org)(Faribault PublicSchools, attn: Little Falcons, 710 17th St. SW, PO Box 618, Faribault, MN 55021) to continue the importance of youth sports programs, or to the American Diabetes Association to honor his first grandchild, Piper.

Ed joins the love of his life, Peggy, in Heaven. He is survived by his 5 children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren: Mary & Kurt Guenther (Peoria, AZ) and their 3 children, Luke & Cassidy Guenther, Kyle Guenther and Ross & Jessica Guenther and their children, Chloe, Aydan, and Allie,- Julie & Tim Putrah (Faribault, MN) and their 3 children, Piper & Brendan Sjodin and their children Dash, Poppy and Scout, Ben & Allie Putrah and their baby Jovie, Bo & Alli Putrah - Mark & Trish Dusbabek (Studio City, CA) and their 3 children, Sasha Dusbabek, Daniel Reyes, Summer & Chansi Stuckey and son, Aiden - Cathy & Joe Kaul (Grand Lake, CO) Conrad & Carrie and Josie Kaul - Teresa & Scott Bergs (Atlantic Beach, FL) and their children, Morgan, Lily, and Ollie Grim and Connor, Will, and Ellison Bergs.