Marie Verna Liebmann, 98, Green Bay, was called to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 23, 2020. Marie was born May 6, 1922 in New Franken to the late John and Emma (VanderVest) Brunner. John Theodore Brunner was the fifth of six sons of Michael Brunner and Caroline Lang in New Franken, Wisconsin. Emma was one of 11 children of Benjamin Joseph and Leona Maria (Mazi) VanderVest in Champion, Wisconsin.
Marie spent much of her early years living on the farm of her uncle and aunt William and Victorine (VanderVest) Tilliard during the week while her parents worked. The experience allowed her to become bi-lingual. She attended school for her first three years at the one-room schoolhouse in Champion and then completed her education in Green Bay, graduating from East High School where she met her future husband, Herbert “Herb” Liebmann, Jr. One of the things that they found they had in common was their love of the accordion. Their romance grew during their joint music lessons. They were married on August 2, 1941.
Family was always the most important thing in her life. After getting married, Marie devoted herself to making a home for their family. When Herb was called to service during World War II, leaving her to care for their two small sons, she took charge and filled in as mother and father until his return. The family eventually grew to six children. Her ability to take care of all of them, seeing that they got to school, did their chores and chauffeuring them to all of their various activities was a marvel to those who knew her.
Together Marie and Herb designed and built their family home in the town of Preble and a summer cottage on the shores of the Bay just inside of Door County. Herb taught her snow skiing, a sport she actively pursued well into her 80’s. She was a member of a ballroom dance club, a square dancing club, and the Antiquarian Society for many years. She enjoyed creating art, and worked, in ceramics and oil painting on canvas. Marie was a master seamstress, doing her own alterations until her eyes and hands failed her. She loved to work in her garden, growing fresh vegetables and flowers for her family to enjoy.
Marie was preceded in death by Herb, her partner of 65 years, her brother Robert (Bob) Brunner, and 2 great-grandchildren, Amelia Dietz and Daniel McDonough. She is survived by her six children: Herbert “Bert” and Diane Liebmann, III, Luxemburg; James “Jim” and Marian Liebmann, The Villages, Florida; Rose Marie and Tim McDonough, Ashwaubenon; Richard “Rick” and Paulette Liebmann, Town of Union; William “Bill” and Susan Liebmann, Ojai, California; and Frederick “Fred” Liebmann, The Villages, Florida; 14 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren; and step-brother and cousin, Ronald Brunner.
Marie requested that no flowers be sent in her memory. Education was always important to her and she encouraged and facilitated advanced education for her children and grandchildren. Contributions may be made to The Herb and Marie Liebmann Memorial Scholarship Fund at Notre Dame Academy or The Herb and Marie Liebmann Endowed Scholarship Fund at the UWGB Foundation, which provides scholarships to assist worthy engineering students or engineering technology students in achieving their educational goals.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a memorial gathering will take place when pandemic conditions permit to celebrate her life and legacy to us all. Online condolences may be expressed at www.prokowall.com.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Aurora at Home Hospice especially Kayla and Breanna for their gentle guidance.
Also, heartfelt thanks to Shane and Sarah McDonough for opening their home to Marie in the last two weeks.