Thelma E. Liebe

Thelma Elaine Liebe, age 92, of Manhattan, Kansas, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2026, at Ascension Via Christi Village in Manhattan.

Born on September 27, 1933, in Superior, Nebraska, to Johann and Anna Bruns, Thelma was the youngest of eight children and grew up in Deshler, Nebraska. There she developed the values of faith, hard work, and devotion to family that remained central to her life. On May 20, 1956, she married George R. Liebe, an Air Force serviceman she met on a blind date. The couple moved to Manhattan, Kansas, in 1964, where they built a loving home centered on family and community.

Thelma was a devoted homemaker who found deep fulfillment in caring for her family. She volunteered for many years at local daycare centers in Manhattan, offering her kindness and nurturing spirit to countless children. She enjoyed playing golf at Stagg Hill Golf Course, taking family vacations, and creating oil paintings that adorned their home and brought beauty to those around her. A loyal Kansas State University supporter, she faithfully cheered for the Wildcats at football and basketball games. Her faith was a cornerstone of her life, and she was a longtime member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church.

She is survived by her children, George W. (Milloy) Liebe, John (Kristi) Liebe, and Elaine (Rick) Sleppy; eight grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, George R. Liebe; her parents, Johann and Anna Bruns; and her siblings. Her love for family, faith, creativity, and the simple joys of life will be remembered always by those who knew and loved her.