Rex Leubecher, Sioux Falls
Rex Leubecher, 93, Sioux Falls, died Tuesday, March 19, 2013, at Bethany Meadows, Brandon. He was born on Jan. 5, 1920. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday at First Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls.
- Rex Leubecher
Rex Leubecher, 93, Sioux Falls, died Tuesday, March 19, 2013, at Bethany Meadows, Brandon.
He was born on Jan. 5, 1920.
Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday at First Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls.
Rex Leubecher was born on the family farm in rural Sioux Falls to Herman George and Iva (Peterson) Leubecher.
He graduated from Washington High School in 1937 and then farmed in partnership with his father. He joined the South Dakota National Guard and on November 25, 1940, and was called to active duty and sent to Fort Ord, Calif.
His ship left Pearl Harbor a week before it was bombed and he proudly served his country in the South Pacific until his honorable discharge in July 1945.
After his discharge, he resumed farming and soon met the love of his life, Ruby Jean Ellens. They married on Sept. 15, 1946, and shared 66 wonderful years of marriage.
In 1966, Rex was persuaded by Erling Haugo of Valley National Bank to be his ag representative/public relations officer. He served the Valley Banks of Sioux Falls, Harrisburg, Tea, Lennox, Elk Point and Yankton. His business sense, love of farming and love of people made him a natural fit for the job. He retired as vice president in 1983 and continued to serve on the Valley Bank Board of Directors for many more years.
Rex served as chairman of Lincoln County Farm Bureau, Lincoln County Republican Party, Lincoln County Planning Commission, Southeastern Council of Government, Minnehaha Co-op Oil, and numerous other ag related boards. He served on the board of directors of the Crippled Children’s School, was a charter member and past president of South Sioux Kiwanis, and lifetime member of the American Legion and VFW. He served on the South Dakota Highway Commission under Gov. Archie Gubbrud.
A man of faith, he was baptized, confirmed, married and was a longtime usher of First Lutheran Church.
Rex and Ruby moved to StoneyBrook Assisted Living in 2010 and to Bethany Meadows Nursing Home in 2012. Rex endeared himself to all those who helped care for him and Ruby.
Survivors include his wife, Ruby; three daughters and their spouses: Diane and Larry Ness of Yankton; Kathy and Ray Metzger of Brandon; and Nancy and Loren Noess of Mitchell. Grandchildren include: Michael, Aaron, and Rob Ness, Kristi, Matt, Rex, and Tyson Metzger, Steven, Dexter, David, and Paul Noess, and 10 great-grandchildren.
Rex was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Iva Leubecher; and his sister, Dorothy Flint.
Rex was the consummate gentleman and family man. His kindness, integrity, and genuine interest in everyone he encountered earned the respect of all whose life he touched. His positive attitude was contagious. Whenever anybody asked how he was his reply was always the same. “It’s the best day of my life!”
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