Donald Rubertus

It is with great sadness we announce that on May 11, 2021 our beloved Donald William Rubertus was called home. Don was born in Marshall, Minnesota on February 17, 1931, born to Floyd Ross Rubertus and mother, Alyce Johanne Paal. He was baptized, made his holy communion and confirmed at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall, Minn. His lifelong love of music began at 6 years old when he learned to play piano and by elementary school was playing a squeeze box organ for the stations of the cross. He attended Marshall High School, graduating third in his class. In high school he was involved in track and field, during his senior year won every 120-yard high hurdle event at Marshall, even setting new records. Upon graduation, he studied at St. John's University in Collegeville, Minn. where he studied music and continued his love of sports, becoming a top football player and winning many awards in track and field hurdles. He was ordained a Catholic Priest at the St. Paul Cathedral in 1957 and assigned to the minor seminary at Nazareth Hall, 13 years later it was closed after Vatican II. Don took a year leave and completed his music education degree, graduating with distinction with a BA degree. He was on a team that introduced the new liturgical norms giving workshops and seminars to parish musicians throughout the diocese. Don was also the chairman of the committee for continuing education for priests and parish musicians. When Nazareth Hall closed in 1970, he was assigned to St Joseph's Parish in New Hope, while there he was the music director and assistant pastor correlating the music for all the masses. The now noted liturgical composer, Mike Joncas asked Don to present his new composition, "Eagles Wings," to Don's choir. The choir, under Don's direction sang, this now famous song in public for the first time. The song was so well received, upon Don's suggestion, Mike copyrighted the song. As the years progressed, his heavy workload at the parish was causing health problems, at that time he took a less stressful position in special education where he taught for 20 years at Barnum High School in Duluth. After dispensation from the priesthood in 1976, Don embarked on a new blessed adventure, when he was wed to Lorraine King at St. Michaels church in Duluth. Lorraine's family adored Don and were thrilled when they married. Lorraine's sister once laughingly said, "If the marriage ends in divorce, it will be Lorraine to blame" and her brothers response was that Lorraine could search 100 years and never find another man as fine as Don. Their marriage was filled with love and admiration, together they traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe. In 1994 they built a home in Arizona, and by 1995 were fulltime residents where they immediately made many lifelong friends. As was his generous nature, he continued sharing his knowledge and love for music where he volunteered at Dysart High School and was a member of the Desert Aires, winning numerous musical awards. Over a 20-year period, he was active at the St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic church volunteering in any way possible. Don's heart was filled with passion, love and brought hope and joy to all who were blessed to know him. He will be greatly missed. Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, May 18 at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, 9728 W. Palmeras Dr. in Sun City, Arizona. Remembrance contributions may be sent to: St. John's University - J Club P.O.Box 2015 Collegeville, MN 56231-2015