Bernard S. Kubale

Bernard Kubale, born on September 5, 1928, passed away on January 15, 2026, in Wales, Wisconsin, of congestive heart failure

Bernie grew up in Reedsville, Wisconsin, where his parents, Josie and Joe, had a tavern. He played on the Reedsville high school basketball team, which won the 1946 state championship- an experience he memorialized in his book The Place to Meet Your Friends. He attended the University of Wisconsin, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, and after a brief accounting career, joined the US Air Force and served as a lieutenant in the Korean War. After the war, he attended the University of Wisconsin Law School, graduating Order of the Coif. Upon graduation, he joined Foley and Lardner, becoming a partner in 1963, specializing in corporate law. He served as managing partner of the firm for seven years, a period of expansion into new markets in the United States and internationally. He served on many boards during his career, including the Milwaukee Brewers, the Green Bay Packers, Hammermill Paper, the Banta Corporation, and Mirro Corporation. He also served as chairman of the Board of Trustees of St. Norbert College.

Bernie’s devotion to his legal practice was matched by his love of family and a passion for pursuing new interests with determination and perseverance. He took up skiing in his forties when his three daughters started ski lessons. He enjoyed an annual Colorado ski trip with friends and colleagues, and when that group broke up, continued the annual ski trip with his daughters until he was 90.

Bernie was a masterful storyteller. He regaled us with stories from his musky-fishing trips with friends over five decades, only some of which involved the fish that were caught.

He was an avid athlete. He summited Mt Rainier when he was 65 and ran the Lakeshore Marathon a year later. He ran in Al’s Run until he was 90. He was an early adopter of the game of pickleball, playing in his 80’s and 90’s, and winning several gold medals in the Wisconsin Senior Olympics. His 95th birthday celebration included a family pickleball tournament, which all agreed he won!

Bernie was deeply committed to Children’s Wisconsin. He served on its board of directors until his death, a period of over 50 years. He was chairman of the board during the controversial effort to move Children’s Hospital to its current campus. He was devoted to providing the children of Wisconsin with world-class health care.

Bernie is survived by his wife Karen (Robinson), daughters Caroline (Kevin) Smith, Catherine (Scott ) Gelband and Anne Walker, step daughter Lauren Ziedonis, his

grandchildren, Philip (Carly), Bernard David (Sara), James, Cate (Dean), Sam, Emily, Lila, George and Thomas, step grandchild, Alister, and great grandchildren, Lilly, Kevin, Henry and Julian, as well as beloved nieces, nephews and other extended family members. He was predeceased by his first wife, Mary, his seven brothers and sisters, and his stepson Nick.

A visitation will be held on January 23, 2026 from 10:00 AM until 11:30 AM at St. Teresa of Calcutta Church, W314 N7462 State Road 83, Hartland, WI 53029, followed by a funeral mass at 11:30 AM.

Donations in his memory may be made to Children’s Wisconsin Foundation, CCC Suite 220, PO Box 1997, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-1997. https://giving.childrenswi.org/