Deacon John Libecki

Deacon John Libecki of Waukesha was born to Eternal Life on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at the age of 91. He was born in Milwaukee on January 28, 1927 the son of Chester and Agnes (nee Mischker) Libecki. He attended St. Hedwig Grade School in Milwaukee and graduated from Oconto Falls High School. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1944 until 1946 during WWII. In recent years, he went on an Honor Flight with his son Peter. After his naval service, John worked as an auto mechanic at Dale Chevrolet in Waukesha. He retired from Wisconsin Natural Gas Co. (Waukesha) after 29 years. John married his wife Eva (nee Koenigs) the love of his life on September 15, 1951 and they shared their life together for 67 years.

John was ordained a permanent Deacon on June 11, 1978 by Archbishop Rembert Weakland. He served at St. Anthony in Pewaukee and St. Dominic in Brookfield. He participated in various liturgical services, baptisms, wake services and as spiritual advisor to St. Vincent de Paul at St. Dominic’s. John also enjoyed many meetings of the St. Dominic’s Seniors. He was very active in visiting the sick, homebound and those in the hospital. He was a member of St. William Catholic Church.

After ordination he attended evening classes at Marquette University. He received his clinical pastoral education at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Milwaukee and became a certified chaplain by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains. For ten years, he served as a hospice chaplain at the then, Rogers Memorial Hospice in Oconomowoc. For many years, along with his wife Eva, he visited a home for Alzheimer’s patients in Brookfield, bringing communion, singing hymns and gospel songs.

He earned a private pilots license from Crites Field in Waukesha. He enjoyed family camping trips all over the country. In retirement, John and Eva enjoyed many visits to Door County until health issues prevented him from traveling. John also spent many happy hours carving birds, fowl and Santa Claus.

He will be sadly missed by his beloved wife Eva and their six children, Susan (Bill) Martinson, Peter (Vicki) Libecki, Jeanne (Blaine) Punzel, Anne (Dean) Smith, Lynne (Bud) Stavee and Laura (Jim) Hood. He is further survived by his 12 cherished grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and sister Evelyn Christiansen along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Chester and Agnes, sisters Virginia (Bud) Kaufman and Florence (Ray) Koeffler and his brother Edward Libecki.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. until time of the 11:00 a.m. funeral Mass at St. William Catholic Church, 440 N. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha, WI 53186. Father Curt Frederick will preside. Entombment with military honors will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Cemetery. Please meet at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Williams.