Verna Francis Liebelt, 97, lifelong Minot area resident died on Saturday, December 12, 2015 in a Minot hospital.

Verna was born on October 17, 1918 on the family farm in Freedom Township of Ward County, south of Minot to Carl and Emma (Petznik) Bartz. She was reared on the family farm and attended elementary school at Freedom Township School #4 and graduated from Minot High School. As a young adult she was employed as a cook at a large ranch in Montana. She continued her education at a hairdressers school and had maintained her license since that time making her the eldest licensee in North Dakota. Also, she had attended a secretarial school by correspondence which illustrated her strong belief in the importance of education.

Verna married Walter H. Liebelt on July 24, 1942 in Minot. They made their home on a farm in Freedom Township and were the proud parents of two sons, Darrell and Les. In addition to assisting her husband on the farm operating farm machinery and caring for the livestock, Verna served as the Clerk of the Freedom Township School District, hosting in her home the school board meetings on numerous occasions. She and her husband even designed and built the home where they resided. She resigned her position as clerk during the 1950's to devote more time to her family only to return as the Clerk and Business Manager of the South Prairie School District for eleven years prior to her retirement.

Verna had a deep and abiding faith in God which helped her through the challenging times of her life and was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Minot for many years where she was confirmed on April 17, 1932. She was an excellent role model to family, friends and relatives. Also, she loved to garden and could be found in her garden well into her 90's and was once known as the "Flower Lady of South Prairie". Verna was an excellent cook and hosted numerous family gatherings. She was always involved in community affairs as a member of the South Prairie Homemakers for more than 35 years, PTA President for several years and was an integral member of the Ward County Centennial organization. As a caregiver, Verna cared for her parents for seven years, brother Harold for four years, and sister Mable for six years. Additionally, she loved all of God's creatures especially cats and dogs.

Verna's loving family includes her children: Darrell of rural Minot and Les of Minot; grandsons: Lorn and Lane Liebelt both of Minot and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Verna was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters: Irene and Mable and brother: Harold.

Funeral Service: Thursday, December 17, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Paul's Lutheran Church - Minot.
Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens - rural Minot.
Visitation: Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the donor's choice.