David Leo Bublitz

David Leo Bublitz, age 75, of Carpenter, Iowa, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at Baylor St. Luke’s Hospital in Huston, Texas. David was born on June 11, 1950, in Osage, Iowa. He was the son of Harold and Lucille (Wahl) Bublitz. David was baptized and confirmed at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton, Iowa. He attended Carpenter and St. Ansgar schools. David married the love of his life, Debby Lau, on August 25, 1973, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Myrtle, Minnesota. They began their family and raised three children just outside of St. Ansgar. Then David and Debby moved to Carpenter, where he and Debby shared their first date together years ago and where he served as the mayor for a few years.

As a young boy he enjoyed showing visitors all the exotic animals on his dad and mom’s farm. David was a cowboy at heart, riding his horses and doing tricks, like on Western T.V. shows. He made halters and a two-wheel cart to hitch his pony. Also, on Sundays he would go for horse rides with the neighbor kids. David enjoyed bowling with his friends, his in-laws, and with his sons. He also enjoyed trap shooting, being a 4-H leader, coaching basketball, watching Westerns, being a member of Legion Post #616 of Grafton, and enjoyed doing sermons wanting to help everyone to know Jesus as their Savior.

David had a great love for his family and friends. At 18, he joined the National Guard and after 20 years, retired as an SFCE7. At the age of 18, David started working on the railroad doing maintenance and then as a track inspector for 41 years. He could really build a track! David was also Secretary Treasurer of the Local Union Railroad. For the past 10 years, David has been enjoying winters with family in Mission, Texas after working many years outside in the cold.

David is survived by his wife of 52 years, Debby Bublitz; sons, Nick (Tricia) Bublitz of St. Ansgar, Iowa, Jerry (Amy) Bublitz of Carpenter, Iowa; daughter, Angela (John) Mensink of Lake St. Louis, Missouri; grandchildren, Sarah (Troy) Thomas, Jacob Bublitz, Cole Bublitz, Christian (Andi) Bublitz, Madyson Bublitz, Colin Mensink, Carson Mensink; six great-grandchildren; in-laws, Marilyn Bublitz, Diane (Darwin) Hanson; and 18 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Lucille (Wahl) Bublitz; in-laws, Willis and Phyllis Lau; siblings, Elaine (Kermit) Huebner, Darrel (Lorraine)(Laurie) Bublitz, Dale (Dorothy) Bublitz, Dean Bublitz; brother-in-law, Jim Lau, a niece and two nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton, Iowa. A visitation will take place Sunday, March 8, 2026, from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Hoff Celebrations – Champion Chapel. Burial will be at the Grafton Cemetery.

Hoff Celebrations - Champion Chapel of Osage is assisting the family with arrangements.