April 20, 2024

Elwyn “Gus” Liebl

Elwyn “Gus” Liebl, D.V.M, 92 died Thursday, July 7, 2016 at Western Plains Medical Complex, Dodge City. 

He was born September 9, 1923 in Barton County, Kansas, the son of Gus and Mathilda Feist Liebl. He received his Bachelors Degree in Arts and Science from Kansas State University and was a graduate of Kansas State University School of Veterinary Medicine. A lifetime area resident, he was a partner in Ripple Liebl Veterinary Clinic where he remained active until 1994 when he took partial retirement but was still involved in small animal practice until 2001. He was awarded the Kansas Veterinarian of the Year in 1971. 

He was a member of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Ford County Historical Society, Howard Gotschall VFW Post 1714 and American Legion Post 47 all in Dodge City. He served on the Board of Directors for Bank of the Southwest from 1980 to 1997, the Kansas State University Alumni Association from 1976 to 1979, the Dodge City Senior Center and Community Foundation of Southwest Kansas. He was a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and past President of the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association. He was very active with Boy Scouts of America and was awarded the Silver Beaver in 1978, St George Emblem, Catholic Diocese Boy Scouts of Dodge City in 1979 and awarded Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Blessing on January 17, 1999 for 23 years as Chairman of the Dodge City Diocese Catholic Committee on Scouting. 

He served in the United States Army Armored Field Artillery during WWII attaining the rank of Sergeant. He was in the European Theater and was awarded the Campaign Silver Star, Purple Heart and the Presidential Distinguished Unit Badge. 

On September 15, 1951 he married Beatrice A. Wald at Kansas City Missouri. She preceded him in death on January 20, 2012 

Survivors include: 2 sons, Stephen Liebl and wife Sharon, Torrance, California and Thomas Liebl and wife Kim, Lawrence, Kansas; 2 daughters, Barbara Wensel, Austin, Texas and Susan Dewell and husband Kevin, Meade; and 10 grandchildren. 

He was also preceded in death by his parents, 4 brothers, John, Harold, Conrad and Jim Liebl, 2 sisters, Esther Gleason and Letty Liebl and a grandson, Matthew Liebl. 

Vigil Service will be 7:00 pm Sunday, July 10, 2016 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dodge City. Funeral Mass will be 10:00 am Monday at the Church with Abbot Michael Liebl presiding. Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery, Dodge City with Full Military honors. Visitation will be Sunday from noon to 5:00 pm at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Sacred Heart School Endowment, the Community Foundation of Southwest Kansas or Catholic Committee on Scouting all in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.