“Don’t cry at my funeral, I’ve lived a very good life, everything has been good to me” – Lawrence Liebl
( October 14, 1921 - January 28, 2019 )
Lawrence Nicholas Liebl, 97, one of the oldest members of Immaculate Conception Church, died January 28, 2019, at Clara Barton Hospital, Hoisington. He was born October 14, 1921, at St. Rose Hospital, Great Bend, Kansas, the son of Joseph and Frances (Schulte) Liebl. He was the second youngest child and was the last surviving sibling, having two sisters: Viola (Liebl) Feist, Theresa (Liebl) Miller; and five brothers: Frank Liebl, Leo Liebl, Ambrose Liebl, Joseph Liebl and and youngest brother Gail Liebl.
Lawrence grew up and worked on the family farm. He remembered going to Claflin as a young boy on a Saturday night which was a busy night in town. The dads would drink beer and the moms would sit on Main Street. There was dancing in the opera house and an outdoor theatre. He remembered the dust bowl years in the 1930’s, when there were times that the sky was blackened and all he could see was the top of the fence post poking out of the dust.
Lawrence went to school and graduated from Claflin High School in 1940. Lawrence went off to college at Kansas State University in the fall of 1940 for one year, majoring in Business and Public Administration before being drafted in the United States Army. He served from September 1942 until his honorable discharge in March 1946, where he served as a medical technician and clerk.
On April 26, 1949, he married Mary Ann Kimpler at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church near Ellinwood. Shortly after getting married, they moved out to Stratton Colorado to farm with Lawrence’s brothers. While in Stratton, they started their family, having two of their six children. Mary Ann soon became homesick and they packed up and moved back to the family farm near Claflin. There they continued to farm and raise the rest of their family. After retirement, Lawrence continued to be involved with his two son’s farming practices.
He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus Council #2630 of Odin, and the V.F.W., starting in Claflin and then continuing in Ellinwood. Lawrence played a vital part serving at Immaculate Conception Church, volunteering as a lector and Eucharistic Minister through the years. Living across the street from the rectory, Lawrence and Mary Ann cooked and fed visiting priests on many occasions. Lawrence continued to be strong in his faith, praying several rosaries every day for his family.
Lawrence and Mary Ann were able to enjoy some traveling and gambling before Mary Ann passed away on August 2, 1998. It is so easy to imagine that he and Mary Ann are dancing together now in heaven! He loved music, especially polka music and country music because it told a story. Lawrence was able to remain in his home until December 2016, before moving to Country Living Place in Hoisington.
Survivors at the time of his death included; children, Ken Liebl of Claflin, Carol (Rich) Steiner of Great Bend, Larry (Marcie) Liebl, Kevin (Nancy) Liebl, Todd (Carla)Liebl, all of Claflin; grandchildren, Tammy (Matt) Troyer, Chad (Sarah) Liebl, Ryan (Katherine) Liebl, Clint (Sari) Steiner, Kristin Liebl, Cindy (Justin) Keller, Jeremy (Angie) Liebl, Eric Liebl, Frank (Tara) Steiner, Jared (Kacie) Liebl, Scott Liebl, Travis Liebl, Corey Liebl, Adam (Gina) Liebl, Courtney Liebl, Evan Liebl, Jamie Liebl, and Brett Liebl; and great grandchildren, Haley and Kiley Troyer, Savannah and Spencer Steiner, Gavin and Garett Keller, Lexi and Drew Steiner, Lauren and Claire Liebl, Matthew, Olivia, Levi, and William Liebl, Konner, Alex, and Emma Hickel, Kendall Liebl, Brady, Brynlie, Bryson, Blakeley, and Baylor Liebl.
He was preceded in death by his wife, infant son, Michael Paul Liebl; brothers, Frank, Leo, Ambrose, Joseph, and Gail Liebl; and sisters, Viola Feist and Theresa Miller. Grandson Chad Liebl passed away on February 4, 2019. Mary Ann and Lawrence were surely at the gates of heaven to meet him!
During the homily of the Mass of Christian Burial on February 2, 2019, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Father Terrance Klein spoke of Lawrence as blessed and faithful. During the Great Depression, his family seemed to live on little more than cornbread and beans, which exemplifies the fact that happiness is not determined by material wealth. Instead, it is all a question of perspective. When he was drafted into World War II during his first year at college, Lawrence’s attitude was, “Given my grades I had a better chance of surviving World War II than I did K-State.” Other memories shared included taking the family fishing, going to Lake Wilson, riding the ground with kids in ATVs, playing cards, and enjoying beer with Marion Bahr and Bobby Joe Miller. He was remembered as a father who didn’t lose his temper.
Memorials were made to Claflin Ambulance Fund, or Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.In care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.
The Immaculate Conception Parish offers it’s condolences to the Liebl family.
