Terrence Charles Liebel

1950 - 2025

Terrence (Terry) C. Liebel passed away on January 23, 2025, at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls surrounded by his wife and children. Terry was born on November 20,1950 in Aberdeen, SD to Melvin and Virginia (Hormann) Liebel. Terry attended May Overby Elementary School, Simmons Junior High, and graduated from Aberdeen Central High School in 1969. He immediately enlisted in the United States Army where he served in Vietnam from 1970 to 1973. While in Vietnam, Terry served as a carpenter initially, and later as a helicopter door gunner. Prior to his honorable discharge in 1973 after one tour in Vietnam, Terry earned a Bronze Star and the Army Commendation medal. Once home, Terry enrolled at Northern State College and earned his Bachelor's of Arts in History in 1976. In 1981, Terry met the love of his life on a blind date in Aberdeen: a pretty telephone operator named Cheryl. Terry and Cheryl went on to marry in July, 1982. They resided in Aberdeen, then Rapid City, where their daughter Stephanie was born in 1985. Soon after, the family moved back to Aberdeen and their son Spencer was born in 1988. Terry loved fatherhood, and found joy in playing outside and watching all of Spencer's sport, band, Scout, and theater activities, as well as taking Stephanie to the library and a new bookstore in every town they visited. Terry loved tending the garden he inherited from his parents, rooting for the New York Yankees and Green Bay Packers, and enjoying his afternoon naps, lemon sweets, and a smooth, stiff drink. In 2017, Terry and Cheryl moved to Sioux Falls to be closer to their grandson, Sam. Terry thrived in the grandpa role and was often found enjoying treats and cooking with his grandson. Terry enjoyed his final years in retirement watching his beloved Gunsmoke, Bonanza, and The Virginian from his recliner, dabbling in his passion for art, antiquing (particularly clocks and duck figurines), and eating good food prepared by Cheryl. His children and grandson knew they were always welcome, and came and went frequently where they were always bid farewell with a personalized goodbye that included prolonged walks to the car and, for Sam, wet willy contests. In early 2024, Terry suffered a series of strokes that should have taken him then. But he was strong and stubborn and persisted to remain earth-bound until January 23, 2025. Terry was deeply loved, and we will continue to love and miss him forever. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife of 42 years Cheryl, daughter Stephanie (Brett) Logue, their son Sam; and son Spencer Liebel, all of Sioux Falls. Terry also leaves his sister Nancy (Steve) Sams, sisters-in-law Arlene (Alton) Nitschke, Carmen Cavett, Mardell Bartl, and Peggy Smith; dozens of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends throughout the Midwest. Terry is preceded in death by his parents Melvin and Virginia Liebel; brother James Liebel; brother-in-law George Gibson; father- and mother-in-law Earl and Elizabeth Smith; sister-in-law Mary Smith and five brothers-in-law, including Kenny Cavett, Kent Bartl, and Earl Smith. A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, January 31, 2025 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home in Sioux Falls. Military Honors will start at 3:00 p.m. and a time of sharing begins at 4:30 p.m.