Donald K. Lieb

Donald Kenneth Lieb, the son of Theodore Leroy “Roy” & Dorothy (Knitter) Lieb, was born on June 1, 1947, in Riverside, CA. He was raised on the family dairy farm near Corona, CA. When he was 8, the State of California informed the family they were putting an interstate freeway system through their farm and dairy operation. Therefore, the family moved to Pomona, California, where Don graduated from Ganesha High School in 1965. 

His dad was the head farmer and agronomy professor at California State Polytechnic University. After virtually growing up on the Cal Poly campus, Don graduated from Cal Poly with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Biology in 1969. During his college years he worked on the Ski Patrol in the California mountains and was on a first aid team at the Pomona Drag Strip. 

Knowing there was a world to explore, he joined the Peace Corps and was sent to Iran to serve as an agricultural extension agent in the Nahavand Valley in NW Iran from 1970 to 1973. While in Iran he met Bob and Jan Carlson, of Courtland, Kansas, who were the closest Americans to his village. They encouraged him to move back to the Midwest as they knew of his desire to be in a more rural environment and work in agriculture. He moved to Courtland in February 1974 where Don and his wife Sue raised their two children, Trevor and Wendy. 

He initially worked for Harris Serum and Supply Company as warehouse manager. From 1977-1980 Don was with the Co-op Elevator. In the spring of 1980, a position became available at the Kansas Bostwick Irrigation District No. 2 where he remained until his retirement in December 2013. During his tenure with the irrigation district, he served as a ditch rider and dragline equipment operator from 1980 to 1993, at which time he moved into the office to replace the retired office manager. 

Along with these jobs, Don also worked for Republic County EMS as an EMT, then Paramedic, from 1982-2018. He also served as Director of Republic County EMS for several years and was on many committees throughout the state of Kansas for EMS. He was an Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Instructor and CPR Instructor in North Central Kansas for many years. 

He served on Courtland’s City Council for 10 years and on Courtland Rural Fire District #12 for many years. In his “spare time” he traveled around Kansas to officiate high school volleyball, softball, and baseball in the summer, was a substitute bus driver, and spent quality time with his grandchildren and family. He also enjoyed riding his Harley-Davidson Motorcycle to various events and family functions across the nation. He took many trips with his brother’s and sister’s families across North America. He cherished many memories with his family attending many auto races and tractor pulls across the nation. 

Don was a member of the Masonic Lodges in Courtland and Belleville, KS; Scottish Rite; ISIS Shrine Club; and North Central Kansas Shrine Club.

Don was married to Susan (Anderson) Lieb on January 20, 1973. To this union, two children were born, Trevor and Wendy. He later married Peggy Nelson in 2013. 

Don passed away on June 29, 2024, in Courtland, Kansas, at the age of 77 years and 28 days.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Theodore Leroy “Roy” & Dorothy Lieb. 

Left to cherish his memories are his wife Peggy Nelson of Courland, KS; son Trevor Lieb of Courtland, KS; daughter Wendy Mains of Wichita, KS; stepdaughter Jeannie Copple of Abilene, KS; stepdaughter Crystal Lieb of Courtland, KS; stepson Corey Nelson (Krystal) of Clyde, KS; grandchildren, Austin Mains, Erica Lieb, and Elise Lieb; step grandchildren Jesse Copple, Gunnar Nelson, and Hagen Nelson. Don is also survived by his siblings and their families: Sandra Delaney (Pat) of San Antonio, TX; Dennis Lieb (Jeannie) of Carlisle, MA. 

Cremation was chosen with a Celebration of Life Service to be held Saturday, July 20, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., at the Covenant Church in Courtland. Burial will follow at the Courtland Cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday, July 19th, from 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm, with the family greeting friends from 6pm - 8pm, at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home.

Memorials are requested to the Donald Lieb Memorial and may be sent to Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, PO Box 566, Belleville, Kansas, 66935.

Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home assisted the Lieb family with these arrangements.