Eugene Arnold Liebl was born October 22, 1935, to parents Louie L. and Mabel (Johnson) Liebl in North Star Township, Brown County, rural Springfield , MN. He was baptized on Novemeber 3, 1935,and confirmed on July 18, 1949, at St. Raphael Church in Springfield. He attended and graduated from high school in Sanborn.
On November 10, 1956, Eugene was united in marriage to Patricia Jerde at St. James Catholic Church in Dawson. To this union six children were born. They lived in the communities of Dawson and Boyd. He served in the U.S. Army National Guard, and his last Honorable Discharge was May 28, 1975. Gene left farming in 1973, and began working as a mechanic, which he continued until a short time ago.
Gene's interests included reading, music, history, animals, playing cards, visiting with family, friends, and strangers, and tinkering with small engines. His love for music started at age 12 with his first banjo. He played for a short time in the "Harmony Knights" and recently played in a small band that entertained in the local area, especially in area nursing homes.
Gene found humor in most things and was able to make most phrases humorous. He was always supportive and appreciative of the efforts of his family.
After a short battle with cancer, Gene passed away on Tuesday, February 1, 2000, at Saint Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN, at the age of 64 years, 3 months, and 9 days.
He is survived by his wife, Pat; 6 children: Debra (Mike) DeBuhr of Ham Lake, Jody Liebl of Minneapolis, Michael (Dianna) Liebl of Flagstaff, AZ, Shannon (Kevin) Monson and Shelia (Andy) Greiner of Dawson, and Jason (Ima) Liebl of Crofton, MD; 11 grandchildren: Michelle (Ken) Ostenso and Brad DeBuhr and fiance, Jenny Thour; Christopher, Timothy, Eric, and Nicholas Liebl; Christa, Jonathon, and Jared Monson; and Joe and Jeff Greiner; 1 great-grandchild, Jake Ostenso; brothers and sisters: Elaine (Swede) Hammerschmidt of Redwood Falls, Leonard (Ione) Liebl, twins - Aloys (Janet) Liebl and Alice Schueller, all of Dawson, and Mary (Ray) Larson of Lakeville; sister-in-law, Ilene Willand of Dawson; foster brother, Tom (Pat) Felcyn of Fairbanks, AK; other family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister and brother in infancy; brother, Armin Liebl; and brother-in-law, Adrian Schueller.