Rebah Joanne Hubbard

Rebah Joanne Cross Hubbard died in St. Louis Park, MN on December 30th at the age of 88. She was born on April 8, 1929 in Wichita, KS the only child of Ed Hauton and Carma Strobel Cross. Growing up on a farm profoundly affected Rebah’s values of practicality, independence, and a deep love for the land and her native state. Rebah attended the Goddard public schools. It was there she met her childhood sweetheart and future husband, Charles W. Hubbard.

She graduated from Friends University with honors, majoring in English and history. She was also a pianist, vocal soloist, and played the organ at the family’s church home.

Charles and Rebah were married on August 5, 1949, and she began teaching high school English in Viola and later in Goddard. Establishing libraries at two elementary schools where her husband was principal propelled her to become an elementary librarian, a job she enjoyed for many years. Rebah received her MA in Library Science from Emporia State University in 1977 and ultimately became the librarian at the Library for the Visually Impaired and Blind. She loved this administrative position and relished supplying textbooks and manipulatives to visually impaired students all over Kansas. An avid reader, Rebah was active on the William Allen White Award selection committee.

She also loved her church, First Presbyterian of Derby where she was a member for 62 years. There she served on the Session, taught Bible School and Sunday School, and developed an outstanding church library as head of the library committee.

Rebah is survived by her husband of 68 years, Charles W. Hubbard; daughters Marilyn (Bruce) McSpadden of Lee’s Summit, MO; Barbara Sudderth of Fountain Hills, AZ and Beverly (Craig) Claflin of Edina, MN; five grandchildren, Bret McSpadden of Boulder, CO; Ben (Katey) McSpadden of Roeland Park, KS; Scott Sudderth of Dubuque, IA; Carah (Michael) Hart of Edina, MN; Chase Claflin of Minneapolis, MN; and two special great-grandchildren, Eloise and Charlie Hart.

There will be a public viewing on Thursday evening, January 4th at Smith Mortuary in Derby from 5:30pm – 7:00pm. Visitation will be at the First Presbyterian Church, Friday, January 5th at 10:30 with the funeral at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts to Derby Public Library.