Robert James Leibel

Robert James Leibel, age 90, of Pine City, passed away on Saturday, September 4, 2021, at Welia Health in Mora surrounded by his loving family.

Bob was born on October 21, 1930 to Aloysius and Rose (Mottl) Leibel in St. Paul.  They lived in the Hamline-Midway neighborhood of St. Paul, and Bob attended St. Columba Catholic School for Grades 1-8. He attended Wilson High School in St. Paul until 1947, at which time his parents purchased their farm north of Rush City. While attending Rush City High School, he noticed a pretty girl named Caryl Neubauer.  Bob had a book report coming due, and having seen Caryl’s name on the library checkout card, asked her if she would write his book report for him.  She refused, telling him to write his own, but later agreed to go on a date with him and they became high school sweethearts.  Upon graduation from Rush City High School in 1949, Bob began his employment with East Central Electric in Braham, joined the National Guard, and also continued to work on the family farm.

Bob and Caryl were married on July 11, 1953 and made their home in Pine City.  Bob dearly loved his family and being involved in the community.  He was a member of the Pine City Volunteer Fire Department, Knights of Columbus, and served on the Pine City School Board and Pine County Fair Board.  He retired from East Central Electric in 1994 after 45 years of service.  After he retired, he spent more time volunteering at church at the fish fry and funeral lunches.  His happiest times were at the cabin on Pokegama Lake, fishing trips to Canada, horseback riding out West, and spending time with family and friends at deer camp.

Bob was preceded in death by Caryl, his wife of 59 years; his parents, Aloysius and Rose Leibel; daughter Paula Jayne Gard; infant son Jay Robert Leibel.  He will be greatly missed by daughters Pamela (Bob) Nierengarten and Patricia (Tom) Beiring; son Peter (Wendy) Leibel; grandchildren Shawn Leibel, Holly (Steve) Halford, Heather (Charlie) Enselein, Jay (Sara) Nierengarten, Ethan and Kaia Leibel; 5 great-grandchildren; brother David Leibel; special friend Cecelia Lundin; along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Monsignor Aleksander Suchan will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial for Bob: 10:30 AM; Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Pine City.  A time of visitation will be held from 4-7 PM; Tuesday evening at the Swanson Funeral Chapel in Pine City with a prayer service at 7 PM, and also one hour prior to the service at the church.  The interment with military honors will take place in Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Pine City.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to: Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City, Swanson Chapel. 
FuneralAndCremationService.com