Marilyn Burns-Leibold

Marilyn Burns-Leibold age 87 of Lawler, Iowa died Friday, September 26, 2014, at Linn Haven Rehab and Healthcare in New Hampton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Monday September 29, 2014 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Lawler with Rev. Nick March celebrating the Mass. The pall will be placed by her husband and children. Lectors for the service are Sue Reicks Keune and Nancy Reicks Cuvelier. Offertory gifts will be presented by her grandchildren, Rachel, Dan, Jay, Rebekah and Tonya. Special music selections included “How Great Thou Art,” 'On Eagles Wings' and 'Amazing Grace' . Accompanists include Rebecca Cuvelier organist, Deb Speltz and Cherri Achen vocalist and Samantha Reicks violinist. Marilyn's children and son-in-law will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be her daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Internment will be in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Friends may greet the family 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. Sunday, September 28, 2014 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Lawler where there will be a 3:00 p.m. Rosary and a 5:45 p.m. Scripture Service. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at church on Monday. Hugeback Johnson Funeral Home - Lawler is in charge of arrangements. Marilyn was born April 1, 1927 in rural North Washington, IA, to Frank and Helen (Schwickerath) Gebel. Marilyn was the oldest of ten children and attended country school and St. Mary's in North Washington. Marilyn lived in the Lawler area since her early teen years, dedicating her time to raising her siblings and assisting other families in the community. On January 25, 1950 Marilyn was united in marriage to Francis E. Burns (deceased, April 1987) upon his return from serving in the U. S. Navy during WWII. As did their parents, they carried on the tradition of farming near Lawler raising their four sons and daughter. On December 17, 1988 Marilyn and James F. Liebold were united in marriage. Their mutual dedication to each other and to family farming continued into their 80's along with many wonderful memories of travel, polka dances and festivals, and time with family and friends. Marilyn was a member of the Our Lady of Mt Carmel Parish and The Catholic Daughters of America since 1950. Marilyn had a talent and passion for flower gardening which she continued to master through out her life. She shared the beauty of her flowers with many others through her arrangements for garden shows, weddings, anniversaries, funerals and for weekly church mass and events for over 30 years. She passed on her art of vegetable and flower gardening (including the fine art of weed pulling) across the generations. She loved every moment she spent in the yard from sunrise to sunset. Marilyn assisted with many of the farming tasks as well as antique furniture refinishing and shrub trimming for the parish. Most of all, Marilyn had a deep dedication to her family and an unconditional love for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She lead by example and taught her children to work hard and live life with honesty, integrity, respect and humility. Even though the last years of her life where consumed with unforeseen challenges, she continued to teach patience, compassion and to live for the moment. Marilyn is survived by her loving husband Jim, her children David of Lawler, Donald (Pam) of Rochester, Owen of Lawler, Mary (Dale Christensen) of Shorewood, MN and CDR 'Ret.' Edwin (Bridget) of Suffolk, VA; two brothers, Francis (Darlene) Gebel, Joseph (Diana) Gebel; four sisters, Lucille (Francis) Reicks, Leona Kriener, Doris Balik, Jean Hageman; sisters-in-law, Rita Gebel, Mary Agnes Gebel, Elverna (Gerald) Praska; brother-in-law, Don (Bernedette) Liebold and her little sister's loving friend, Lavern Blue, five grandchildren and four great-grand children Rachel (Tim) Eichkoff, James and Clara; Dan (Gillian) Burns and Dylan; Jay (Jeanette) Burns Emma and Alli; Rebekah Burns and Tonya Burns and nearly 60 nieces and nephews, countless grand nieces and grand nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Francis, brothers, Leroy and Robert Gebel; sister Loretta Kleve, brothers-in-law Paul Kleve, Luke Kriener, Ray Balik, and Leon Hageman and sisters-in-law Delores Burns and Sister Mary Irene (Estela) Burns, daughter in law Patricia (Bieri) Burns and granddaughter Susan Burns. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Lawler American Legion #279 or the Lewy Body Dementia Association are requested.