George Libbon

George Judd Libbon, age 85, of Chokio, MN passed into his Saviors arms on Thursday, September 19, 2019 at his residence, surrounded by family after a short battle with cancer.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church in Herman with Pastor Heather E. Klason officiating. Visitation will be held Monday, September 23rd from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church in Herman and will resume one hour prior to service at the church on Tuesday. Interment will be at Lakeside Cemetery in Herman MN.

George was born in Morris, MN October 25, 1933 to Henry and Viola (Judd) Libbon. George attended grade 1-8 at Longfellow and 9-12 at West Central School of Agriculture in Morris. Following high school, he for a short time attended Dunwoody College in Minneapolis. From 1954 – 1956 George was in the U.S. Army as a tank mechanic in Germany and Austria. George married the love of his life Shirley (Wilts) Libbon May 19, 1956 in Herman MN. Following their marriage, they moved to the farm in Stevens County where he has lived until his death. George farmed at home until 1989 and continued his love of farming with Chuck, Chase and Kevin at Meixel Farms. He retired from farming and then worked at Donnelly Co-Op for twenty-five years until 2015. George’s great love was welding, and he spent hours in his shop fixing and making things. He had a gift to be able to make most anything that involved metal, wood and welding. While farming and following retirement from farming, George was a Northrup King seed salesman for thirty years and was named Conservation Farmer of the year in 1972. George was a public servant and served for many years on the Eldorado township board. He served as director for thirty years for Traverse Electric, thirty-three years as SCWD supervisor, and twenty-seven years on the Stevens County Fair board. Following retirement from farming and while working at the Co-op he mowed several township road ditches for twenty-nine years with his last season being in 2017.

In addition to all the boards he also faithfully served on and was active in Lutheran Campus ministry at the University in Morris, Bethel Lutheran Church Council, NFO, Herman American Legion and Morris VFW.

George was a man of deep faith in God and love for his family. Everything George did stemmed from his deep faith and reliance and confidence in our Lord. He passed on his legacy of love, grace and faith to his children and grandchildren. In addition to his faith he passed on his saying he liked to share often “A hundred years from now it will not make any difference.” But his legacy will affect future generations.

George is survived by his loving wife Shirley Libbon of sixty-three years; children: Kayla (Bob) Tinker of Pierre, SD; Wenda (Jeff) Walters of Falcon, CO; Brenda (Stan) Holmberg of Marshall, MN; and Debra Powell of Morris, MN. He will be greatly missed by his beloved grandchildren Anna Johnson, Amanda (Luke Schroeder) Tinker, Gavin Walters, Garrett Walters, Michael (Carley) Holmberg, Megan (Braydon) Roberts, Marcus Holmberg, Chase (Mallory) Meixel, Fallon (Wade) Backman and Kevin Meixel. His great-grandchildren, Briella and Berlynn Backman and Ava Meixel. He is also survived by his sisters: Dorothy (Dick) Desens of Hutchinson, MN; Carol (Doug) Watnemo of Maplewood, MN; sister-in-law Bea Libbon of Duluth, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

George was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Viola Libbon and brother Bob Libbon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Knute Nelson Hospice or charity of your choice.