Kimberly Elisabeth Krubeck

Dr. Kimberly Elisabeth Krubeck, 66, passed away on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, with her daughter, Lena, by her side and surrounded by family—a word she defined generously and inclusively.

Kim was born in Davenport, Iowa, on August 3, 1959, and raised in Lombard, Illinois. She attended Butterfield Grade School and Westlake Junior High, graduating from Wheaton Christian High School in West Chicago in 1977.

Kim began her dental career as a dental assistant in 1977 at the age of 18. In 1981, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude, from Loyola University's Dental Hygiene program. Kim received many honors, including induction into Alpha Sigma Nu, the national Jesuit honor society of Loyola University. In 1991, she received her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry and opened her own practice, beginning a career that would span more than three decades. A talented and deeply caring dentist, Kim was beloved by her patients—many of whom she considered close friends. Her warmth and genuine interest in others made every visit to her office feel personal.

A true trailblazer, Kim paid her own way through school and built a successful career in dentistry at a time when few women pursued that path. She did so with determination, integrity, and quiet confidence, earning the admiration of colleagues, patients, and peers alike. And she did it all with her signature sense of style—one of the many qualities that made her so loved.

Kim was preceded in death by her parents, Leonore G. Krubeck and Ralph D. Krubeck. She is survived by her daughter, Lena Krubeck, and Lena's husband, Nevin Blahnik. Kim is also survived by her brother, Kenneth J. Krubeck, his wife, Perpetua, and their children Zerah Krubeck and Zachary Krubeck, along with Zachary's wife, Monserrat.

Kim was a devoted mom to her daughter, Lena. Kim's love for her daughter was boundless, and she took immense pride in the woman Lena became. Together, they created and shared memories that will be cherished forever. Kim was endlessly fun and always surrounded by friends and family. She brought life and light into every room: smart, beautiful, caring, and a wonderful friend to so many.

Adored by family, friends, and patients—often with blurred lines among those categories—Kim had remarkable range. She was intelligent yet delightfully silly, deeply responsible yet never self-serious. She was fun and funny, sometimes outrageously so. A treasured dinner guest, she often arrived with a homemade dish, cleaning supplies, and a contagious enthusiasm for singing, dancing, and revelry that somehow made cleanup a joy.

Though taken too soon, Kim embodied the belief that it's not the years in your life, but the life in your years. Her presence enriched countless lives, and her absence will be deeply felt.

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