Nicholas Danny Dubuque

Nicholas Danny Dubuque, 87, of Bellingham, WA, fondly known as Nick, passed away on November 23, 2025, at Skagit Valley Regional Hospital in Mount Vernon, WA, following heart failure.

Born on July 30, 1938, in Auburn, WA, Nick was the second son of Clarence and Ilee Dubuque. His family purchased a farm, just up Sharpe's Corner when they moved to Anacortes. Nick was in 2nd Grade then. He met the love of his life in his senior year, Karen Baker, whose brother, Jim, was his best friend. The Bakers left their farm life in Iowa and established an auto repair shop out of their home garage in Anacortes while Karen's mom worked as a chef in various restaurants.

Karen was only 13 when she first met Nick and decided that he was the one for her. Nick was a regular visitor at the Bakers' home. They began dating when she came of age and on her first trip to meet his parents, he gave her a tour of the family farm. He stopped at the barn, to get some fresh milk and was delightfully surprised, when Karen joined in, milking the second cow. He was utterly impressed with her knowledge of farm work. She informed him then that she grew up in her family farm in Iowa. On June 22, 1959, Nick and Karen tied the knot in Anacortes. Nick enlisted in the US Army after graduating from high school. Karen accompanied him on his first tour in Germany with their first child Cindy as he proudly served his country. They conceived their second child, Mike while they were in Germany. Karen with Cindy accompanying her, returned home to have Mike in the US while Nick remained behind to complete his assignment. Nick's skill as a marksman earned him trophies and recognition.

After his honorable discharge, they bought a farm in Whatcom County to raise their growing family and to instill in them values of resilience, love and faith. He spent time commercial fishing in Alaska before beginning a long career as a heavy equipment operator, working nearly 20 years with Intalco and another 20 years with Whatcom County Parks to support their preferred farm-style living. He retired 25 years ago, but his industrious spirit never waned.

A man of many passions, Nick loved hiking and hunting in Skagit County, horseback riding in the Cascade Mountains, dancing to country music with Karen and exploring the outdoors with her by his side. They were inseparable. He also earned his pilot's license, transporting people to the Islands and delivering mail-a testament to his adventurous nature.

Nick is survived by his beloved wife, Karen Dubuque of 66 years; daughters Cindy Shaver and Cheri Harkness; grandchildren Nicole, Ali, Erin, Victor, Asa, Brandi, Conner, and Skylar; 14 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren with another on the way; numerous nephews and nieces and last but not least, the lifelong friends, Hauge Brothers whom he met in Germany in the Army, from Minnesota, the Berlins of Anacortes, the Deatons of Hood Canal and many more too numerous to list. He was preceded in death by his parents, sons Heath and Mike, and his brother Clarence "Punk" Dubuque.

His legacy lives on in the generations he nurtured and the community he served. Memorial contributions may be made in his honor to a charity of your choice.

Plans are in the works to hold a Celebration of Life Ceremony for him at Evans Funeral Chapel, details of which will be shared on his memorial site at Evans: www.evanschapel.com/obituary/nick-dubuque where you can also share memories of Nick with the family. Please bookmark the link to check for updates for Nick's upcoming Celebration of Life.