John Carl Liebert
August 16, 1941 – September 13, 2024
John Carl Liebert passed away peacefully after a long struggle with various ailments on September 13, 2024 in the presence of his family. John was born in Seattle, WA on August 16, 1941. At the time, he held the record for being the biggest baby born in that hospital’s history at 11 lbs, 5 oz. We have the article to prove it! He was born to Carl and Adele Liebert. The family soon moved to Blaine where John attended Blaine Schools through 11th grade. For his senior year he enrolled at Concordia Academy in Portland, OR, continuing on to Concordia Junior College after which he transferred to Concordia Teachers College in Seward, NE. It was there that he met his future wife, Carole. This past August marked their 60th wedding anniversary.
His first teaching assignment was at Grace Lutheran School in Fargo, ND, where he served as principal and junior high teacher for 13 years. He spent two years at Oakes, ND teaching 4th grade before retuning to Fargo where he helped to establish a junior high program at Oak Grove Lutheran School. After 23 years in North Dakota he moved back to Blaine where he taught social studies for many, many years. A highlight for him was being able to take students for a week long study of the government in Washington D.C.
John coached many sports both in North Dakota and while at Blaine. He “bled” maroon and gold for Oak Grove and eventually orange and black for the Blaine Borderites. He served 12 years on the city council including a short stint as mayor in Blaine (which he proudly told anyone he met) and was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church.
In 2019, he and Carole moved to Kennewick, WA to be near their son Jared and his family. There they spent nearly five wonderful years creating bonds with their grandchildren and memories that will last a lifetime. He and Carole found a new church home at Bethlehem Lutheran where they developed wonderful friendships and deepened their relationship with the Lord. Their short time spent at Bethlehem truly was one of his life’s most precious gifts. One year ago they moved into Brookdale at Canyon Lakes, an assisted living facility that helped both he and Carole as they transitioned into this final chapter of their lives.
John and Carole were blessed with the gift of three sons along with three “bonus” daughters: Jay and Michelle live in North Carolina with their two sons, JJ and Owen; Noel and Char live in Rogers, MN along with Mitch and Tony. Their only granddaughter, Elizabeth lives in Kansas. Jared and Nicole live in Kennewick, Washington with their three sons, Logan, Luke and Hunter.
John was preceded in death by his beautiful wife, Carole, his parents and his infant grandson, Carter, and is survived by his sister, Joan Gregory of Blaine, along with his immediate family.
Memorials can be given to Grace Lutheran Church in Blaine, Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Kennewick or to Grace Lutheran School in Fargo.
A memorial for John and a celebration of life for both John and Carole will be held on the second or third weekend in November in Blaine.
