Elmer Liebelt, age 84, of Miles City, went to be with the Lord on February, 25, 2013 after a brief illness with cancer, in the Hospice Care at the Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City.
He was born Golden Valley ND, on June 23, 1928 to Michael and Elizabeth (Meisel) Liebelt. He was the 9th out of 10 children; he was 3 when the family moved to Fairview MT where he farmed and raised sheep with his 2 brothers and Dad. He met and married the love of his life Betty Marsh on May 3, 1947. They moved to Savage and raised sheep for 2 years, then moved to Glendive and worked for Freightways Co for 3 month and oil rigs for 10 months. They then moved to Great Falls and worked for Coca Cola Distributing 6 months then he was hired by the Montana Highway Department and was stationed at Glendive, Flowing Wells, Sidney and finally back to Glendive, retired after 30 years. After retirement he worked for Glendive School District driving school bus for 23 years. He also had many part time jobs, cleaning churches, helping various farmers and Meals on Wheels. He volunteered and worked on many committees, he was very proud of the new Senior Citizen Center in Glendive.
At the age of 13 he was given a used guitar and it started his many years of music. At that age he played and sang at school and at church and when ever asked. He really enjoyed playing for dances at the one room school houses, barns and in friends’ living rooms. He always had his guitar handy and would play for anyone who asked. In later years he joined the Over the Hill Gang music group and the Fiddlers Association. In Miles City he played at the Hospital, VA Hospital, Nursing Homes, Senior Citizen Center and Fiddle Jamborees. He also enjoyed traveling to others towns to play. He was known for his white shirt, black pants and his red guitar.
He loved road trips to visit his kids, grandkids, relatives and to see new country with his wife asleep in the passenger seat. He enjoyed playing pool and cards at the Drop in Center and coffee at Albertsons. The highlight of his day was having company and walking them out to see their vehicles. He loved to reminisce with stories of the days gone by. He went by many names Elmer, Dad, Daddy, Grandpa, Grandpa Elmer and The Grandpa Elmer.
He is survived by his Wife of 65 years Betty, son Bryan (Sheila Cremer) Liebelt, daughters Audrey Bruckner and Mary (David) Denowh, Grandchildren Holly (Shane) Harbaugh, Lee (Charlotte) Billing, Ajay (Sally) Liebelt, Scott (Rebekah) Denowh, Joe (Tricia Ziemer) Denowh and Matthew Liebelt. Great Grandchildren Chantel (Bill) Brooks, Skylar Harbaugh, Ashlie Liebelt, Brittany Liebelt, Jacob Denowh, Madelyn Denowh, Brooke Garnes, and Kendra Garnes. Great-Great Grandchildren, Edward Brooks, Shayna Brooks and Jaxson Harbaugh. One son in law Donald Pawlowski, Three sisters, Esther Anderson, Lydia Keefer and Evelyn Salsbury, Brother in Law Chad Melllinger and Sister In Law Christine Marsh, Numerous Nephews and Nieces.
He is preceded in death by this parents, two daughters Gloria Billing and Debbie Pawlowski. Two son in laws Randy Billing and Joe Bruckner. Brothers Arnold and Albert Liebelt, sisters Virgina Diefel, Elsie Gable, Alvina Mellinger and Bertha Seaman. Brothers in law, Charlie Diefel, Alex Gable, Emil Seaman, Harry , Clifford and Raymond Marsh and Bill Sickle. Sisters in Law Mary Alice Sickle, Ada Marsh, and Betty Marsh.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 3, 2013 with the family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 4, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Miles City. Interment will be held in the Custer County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday March 3, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Luncheon
Will directly follow the funeral service.
Monday March 4, 2013
First Lutheran Church
Miles City, MT 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday March 3, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Luncheon
Will directly follow the funeral service.
Monday March 4, 2013
First Lutheran Church
Miles City, MT 59301
Share
Monte and Leila Massar says
Betty and Family,
We are so sorry to see Elmer leave us, but we know that he is now in God’s Heavenly Kingdom where there is no pain or suffering. We feel so honored that we got to know him through the Church and playing music together. I’ll never forget the time he let me use his guitar at one of the Fiddler’s Sessions. And I enjoyed playing with him many times at the nursing homes and the VA. He was a good man and we will miss him and his music. We feel honored that you asked us to play at the Service. God’s Blessings and Comfort Always.
Darlene Shawver says
Sending condolences and prayers to the Leibelt Family. So sorry for your loss.May God Bless all of you.
Condolences and Prayers for the Liebelt Family Sorry to hear of your loss.
Carol Rath Raschkow says
Sending my love and condolences to the Leibelt Family…. Elmer was an old time gentleman who was always kind and pleasant to be around .May our heavenly father comfort you all as Elmer joins his daughters and other family in God’s kingdom…
Carol
Dale and Ruth Bond says
Please accept Ruth and my sincere thoughts and memories of Elmer over all the
years we have known him.From the first years he workedf at Flowing Well-In Glendive
and finally in Miles City.A v ery pleasant man.Always ready to help anyone needing a
helping hand.A great pleasure to have known him.Lean on family and friends to help
you at this time.Love-Dale and Ruth
GARY AND PAT HELM says
DEAR BETTY AND FAMILY, WE ARE SO SORRY ABOUT ELMER, WHAT GOOD TIMES WE HAVE HAD WITH YOUR FAMILY. ELMER WOULD TELL ALL AT THE SENIOR CENTER ABOUT THE TIME HE HAD TO RESCUE KATHY WHEN SHE HAD FLOATED TO FAR OUT IN THE WATER AT THE LAKE. HOW HE AND GARY WOULD ALWAYS BEAT US AT THE CARD GAMES. JUST THINK WHAT A GOOD TIME TELLING HIS STORYIES TO THE ANGELS. LOVE YA
Agnes Drane says
SO SORRY TO HEAR OF ELMERS PASSING ALWAYS LOOKED FORWARD TO OUR VISITS WHEN WE WERE AT TONIS APARTMENT. BUT WE WILL KEEP THE FAMILY IN OUR PRAYERS
Tim and Cheri Hafla says
Our Deepest sympathy to all of Elmers family, May God wrap his loving arms around you and help you thru this sad time…
Gerome and Rita Wemmer and family says
Our prayers go out to the families of Elmer. May God be with you in your time of sorrow and loss. Your memories will bring you peace through the sad times.
John & Jenny Frady says
So sorry to hear of Elmers Passing ,May God bless you and your family in time of your sorrow and loss. He was very kind and lovely man.
Diane (Rath) Hewett says
To Elmer’s family,
I am so sad to hear of Elmer’s passing. May God be with all of you as you mourn his loss. May he now rest in peace without the horrible pain he was experiencing. Please know that I am thinking of you all a you go through this difficult time.
Love, Diane
Patty Wojdyla says
I’m praying for the Liebelt family, for the strength to get through this difficult time. Elmer is with the Lord now, and there is no better place to be!
Grant, O Lord, to all who are bereaved, the spirit of faith and courage, that they may have the strength to meet the days to come with steadfastness and patience; not sorrowing as those without hope, but in thankful remembrance of your great goodness in past years, and in the sure expectation of a joyful reunion in the heavenly places; and this we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Joyce Mohr says
Audrey, we just spoke on the phone – you know my heart and love and prayers are with you
and your family. God had His hand in this – and tho your dad experienced the pain, he is
now at peace, making music for His Majesty, God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Peace, love, and reassurance that God is with you all now in your time of sorrow –
but also in the days to come.
Ps 119:76-77 May Your unfailing love be their comfort, according to your promise
to your servant. Let your compassion come to them that they may live.
In Jesus Name.
Peggy Marsh Dugger says
I remember Uncle Elmer as a kind man, great husband and father. My prayrs are with Aunt Betty, Audrey, Bryan and Mary.
Love you all.
Peggy & Don
Phyllis Arthur says
Dear Betty and family,
Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I have many fond childhood memories of your warm hospitality when we stopped at Flowing Wells to visit your family. Your “Goofy Cake” recipe is a favorite we use for birthday celebrations. What comfort in knowing our loved ones are with the Lord.
Ruth Cummins says
Dear Aunt Betty & family, you are in our prayers, we will miss Uncle Elmer very much. Didn’d see him much, but he wasa man you never fogot, especially what a great uncle he was to all of us. Love you all. Jim & Ruth Cummins.
Joan Marsh Strange says
Dear Aunt Betty and Family. You are all in my prayers. I will miss Uncle Elmer tho I didn.t get to see him much he was one of my favorites. Love to you all. Joan
Patti (Green) Ireland says
To Elmer’s family. My parents, Clifford and Lyla Green, sure have enjoyed Elmer’s talent with country music. He was such a blessing to them when playing at Extended Care. I’m praying that the Lord will give you comfort as you grieve this loss.
Teri & Donald Denowh says
Mary & David,
We are sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one. You are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless!
Glenda & Robert Engen says
ALWAYS A JOY TO STOP FOR A VISIT. OPEN ARMS SMILE ON HIS FACE . BETTY PUT ON THE COFFEE. HE WILL BE MISSED BY US ALOT.