John H. Liebzeit

John H. Liebzeit

Age 78, dearly loved husband, father and grandfather was called to his heavenly home on Thursday, December 22, after a valiant battle against cancer.

Born August 10, 1927, Plymouth, Wisconsin; Parents: Henry G. and Lydia (Deicher) Liebzeit. Baptized and confirmed at St. Luke Lutheran Church, Chilton, Wisconsin.
Attended Robert Morris Grade School. Graduated from Appleton High School in 1945. Member of St. Matthew Ev. Lutheran Church since 1942 where he served as treasurer, elder and president.

Drafted into the U. S. Army in January 1946, Honorably Discharged July, 1947. Joined U. S. Army Reserve in May, 1948 and retired as Major, U.S. Army Infantry in August, 1987. He operated the Dairy Queen Restaurant. In partnership with his father and brother, Merlin, built the first Dairy Queen in Wisconsin. Operated Liebzeit Mobile Homes, Appleton Mobile Homes and built Waupaca Mobile Home Park. Life Member of the Appleton Jaycees, Reserve Officers, American Legion, and past officer of Wisconsin Mobile Home Association. District Representative of Aid Association for Lutherans from 1965-1995, serving Outagamie County and the Appleton area. Served in many professional organizations related to the insurance industry. He was the 28th inductee in the AAL Hall of Fame in 1994. John enjoyed many years hunting and spending time with his family at his Lake Haus on Legend Lake.

He married Edith Rose Gehrt at Zion Lutheran Church in Embarrass, Wisconsin, on October 21, 1950, and they celebrated 55 years of marriage this year. John and Edith were blessed with 3 sons and 3 daughters, 19 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter.

He will be greatly missed by his loving wife, Edith, and his children: John A. (Jack) and Carol Liebzeit (Clintonville) and their children Jacob, Daniel, and Kaitlyn; Connie and Gary Vanden Heuvel (Appleton) and their children Matthew (Cindy) Grow, Emily, Casey and Samuel; Cheryl and Paul Schuette (Denver, Colorado) and their children Micah, Mariah and Michaela; Cynthia and Clifford Schneider (Appleton) and their children Erica (fiancé Rob Tiedt), Crystal, Courtney, and Brooke; Mark and Michelle Liebzeit (Fond du Lac) and their children Nicole, Alyssa and Aimee; Benjamin and Julie Liebzeit (Appleton) and their children Emma and Cody; and great-granddaughter, Megan Grow.

John is also survived by sisters-in-law Marge Liebzeit, Rachel Liebzeit, Erna Liebzeit, Verla Liebzeit and Irna (Peter) Kromm. Brothers-in-law Kenneth (Verdell) Gehrt, Donald (Dorothy) Gehrt, Herman (Shirley) Gehrt, Edward (JoAnn) Gehrt, Roger (Delores) Gehrt, Charles (Marge) Gehrt, Dennis (Carol) Gehrt, and Gary (Sallee) Gehrt, one surviving cousin, Zerlina (Paul) Melger, as well as many dear nieces and nephews, their families, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Lydia Liebzeit; his father- and mother-in-law, Leonard and Elsie Gehrt; his brothers Roland, Edgar, Merlin and Henry (Hank) Liebzeit; and his son-in-law, Jeffrey Grow.

He will always be remembered as a loving, caring husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

The family would like to thank Dr. Guenther, the wonderful staff in the oncology unit at Appleton Medical Center, the staff at the Siekman Cancer Center and ThedaCare Home Care and hospice, and his special home nurse Mary, for their kindness and compassionate care.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, December 27, 2005, at St. Matthew Ev. Lutheran Church, 129 South Mason Street, Appleton with Rev. Jeffrey Verbeke and Rev. Paul T. Schuler officiating.
Friends may call at the funeral home from 4-8 pm on Monday, December 26, 2005 and from 9:00 am, Tuesday, at the church, until the time of service. Burial will be held at Highland Memorial Park, Appleton.

Memorial gifts may be directed to St. Matthew Lutheran Church or Fox Valley Lutheran High School.

The family finds comfort that God called him home for Christmas.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537North Superior Street
Appleton 920-739-1231
www.wichmannfuneralhomes.com