Eddy Kabes, age 70, of New Prague died peacefully at home on Friday, January 23, 2015, surrounded by his family. He was born August 13, 1944 in Cedar Lake Township, Scott Co. to Edward J. & Mary E. (Uhlir) Kabes. He attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School and graduated from New Prague High School. On February 1, 1964, Eddy married Marlene S. Pexa at St. Catherine Church in Cedar Lake Township. The couple later divorced and eventually Eddy was remarried to Maria Ramos of Texas. Seventeen years later, Maria and Eddy divorced amicably and Maria returned home to Texas. By the grace of God, Marlene and Eddy recommitted to each other 1 1/2 years ago.
Eddy was a past member of the Army National Guard and served for many years as a lector at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. With his love of the land, he was a lifelong farmer but he also worked as an electrical technician/engineer for Chart Industries for 29 years. He was involved in the design of automation equipment for MVE/Chart Industries. Eddy also played an integral part in establishing KCHK (then KTMF), setting up the electronics for the radio station and then serving as an announcer for both KTMF and KDHL out of Faribault.
Eddy loved cutting edge technology, going so far as to figuring out how to locate rocks in his field, setting up a crude GPS, which he interfaced with his computer and then could avoid the rocks when combining. During this time, he was also an amateur ham radio operator. Eddy was a man of many interests and talents; playing the concertina led him to establishing his own band and listening to old-time music remained a favorite pastime.
In his early years, he spent time motorcycling, an activity that took him and Marlene to many states of the US. In later years, his love of nature and a large garden filled his leisure time and when he wasn’t on the tractor, his greatest love was spending time with the family.
Eddy is survived by his life partner, Marlene Kabes, of New Prague; children, Bill (& Renae) Kabes of New Prague, Cindy (Schultz) (& Brent) Wade of Elko New Market, Lori (& Chad) Brekke, of Brooklyn Park; mother, Mary E. Kabes of New Prague; brother-in-law, Larry (& Mary) Trnka of Montgomery; 7 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father Edward J. Kabes; son-in-law, Scott Schultz; brother, Billy Kabes in infancy; sister, Mary Trnka.
A Memorial Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at 12:00 noon at Bruzek Funeral Home with visitation 2 hours prior to service from 10 – 12 noon. Reverend Chad Brekke will be officiating. There will be a lunch at the KC Hall immediately following the service.
