Theresa M. Kubela

Theresa M. Kubela, 96, of Wahpeton, ND, passed away on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at St. Catherine’s Living Center. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 11:00 am, with visitation beginning at 9:30 am at St. John's Catholic Church in Wahpeton. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Wahpeton.

Theresa Gilles was born on February 4, 1930, in Summit Township, North Dakota, to John and Theresa (Hermes) Gilles. She attended Summit Township grade school, St. Francis Academy in Hankinson, and graduated from Wahpeton High School. On June 12, 1951, she married Norman “Buzz” Kubela at St. Phillip’s Catholic Church in Hankinson, ND. She farmed with her husband and raised their children in rural Wahpeton, ND. Theresa had an upholstery business, worked for G and B Organ in Wahpeton, and for Edward Jones Investments before her retirement in 1995. The couple moved into Wahpeton in 1986. “Buzz” died December 28, 1998. Theresa continued to reside in their home in Wahpeton until 2024, when she relocated to Twin Town Villa, Breckenridge, MN. In August of 2026, she moved to St. Catherine's Living Center in Wahpeton.

Theresa was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church, St. John’s Choir, Christian Mothers, Catholic Daughters, and the VFW Auxiliary. She will be remembered by many for her homemade holiday candy that she shared with many family and friends in the community.

She is survived by her daughters, Deborah (David) Schmaltz, Bismarck, ND, Jolene (Kelly) Miller, Wahpeton, ND; her sons, Bradley (Deborah) Kubela, Wahpeton, ND, Steven (Deborah) Kubela, Battle Lake, MN, and Thomas (Denise) Kubela, Wahpeton, ND; 11 grandchildren, 23 great- grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandson, step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one sister-in-law, Florence Petersen, and her good friend, Sr. Charlene Grossman, Little Falls, MN.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Norman “Buzz”; daughter-in-law, Cheryl Kubela; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Merrill Gilles, Michael and Angeline Gilles, Lambert and Mary Gilles, Francis and Jane Gilles, Marion Gilles, and Anthony and Audrey Gilles.