Helen Liebersbach

Helen Jean Liebersbach, age 74, passed away February 9th in her home surrounded by her loved ones after a long battle with cancer. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 14, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mandan, ND. Lunch to immediately follow at the Moose in Mandan. Burial following the meal will be at Fairview Cemetery in Bismarck at 3:45 pm. Public visitation will be held Thursday, February 13, 2025, from 5:00-7:00 pm at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, with a Rosary and the Vigil Service starting at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the Funeral Mass. 

Helen was born October 24, 1950 in Morris, MN to parents George and Bernice (Bresson) Riley. She was baptized and confirmed at the Assumption Catholic Church in Morris, and she grew up on their family farm with her seven siblings outside of Morris.

After graduating from Chokio Alberta High School in 1969, Helen attended Alexandria Technical College where she earned a Lab Technician certification. Thereafter she moved to Bismarck, ND where she worked at Q&R clinic as a Lab Tech., she made many lifelong friendships, and she enjoyed traveling and going on adventures as a young adult. A few years later she found the love of her life, Al Liebersbach, whom she married in 1979 at Assumption Catholic Church in Morris, and the couple settled in Mandan, ND. Following the birth of their first child, Helen transitioned to her most important and dream job of being a stay-at-home mom to their eventual three children. She became active in groups such as Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS), Homemakers, and North Dakota Right to Life, dedicating her time and energy to faith, family, and community.

As her children got older, Helen enjoyed part-time jobs at places such as Dairy Queen and Women’s Way, volunteered as a faith Catechist and at her kids’ schools, and treasured the friendships built along the way. As she and Al raised their family, Helen made particular efforts to ensure they spent quality time together and enjoyed each other’s company. She famously created a “No TV, Family Fun Night” sign that would randomly be found taped to the family’s TV about once a week. She also encouraged family time through card playing, camping trips, fishing, board games, puzzling, family supper, weekly family meetings, youth sports participation, and prayer.

In their retirement, Al and Helen became full-time RVers, worked numerous seasonal WorKamper jobs, traveled the country, and enjoyed many warm Arizona winters. In 2009 Helen became a Grandma, and she loved spending lots of quality time with her grandchildren. Her grandchildren will always remember her joy for each day that the Lord had made, her love for them, her silliness, and the ways she helped them grow in their faith.

Helen’s Catholic faith was the foundation of her life. Wherever her and Al were, she was an active member of their parish, and she shared her faith by deed and by word as part of her daily life. She enjoyed attending daily Mass, contributing to Mission projects, and was passionate about praying the Rosary. She made sure that the image of Jesus’ Divine Mercy hung on the walls of her house and her childrens’ houses.

Helen is survived by her husband Al of 45 years; by her children Mark Liebersbach (Bismarck), Brent (Heidi) Liebersbach (Plymouth, MN), and Tammy (Kevin) Martian (Bismarck); and by her 11 grandchildren (Elijah, Joya, Treyson, Anna, Sophia, Siena, Jonah, Teresa, Philip, Rita, and Faustina). She is also survived by 6 of her 7 siblings Connie (Dave) Kovash, Mike (Cinda) Riley, Gary Riley, Dick Riley, Mary (Dick) Staples, Colleen (Steve) Sunder, and by brother-in-law Robert Hedlund. She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Marge Hedlund, and her nephew Kevin Riley.

Public visitation will be held Thursday, February 13, 2025, from 5:00-7:00 pm at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, with a Rosary and the Vigil Service starting at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the Funeral Mass. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on February 14, 2025, at 1:00 pm, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mandan, ND. Lunch to immediately follow at the Moose in Mandan. Burial following the meal will be at Fairview Cemetery in Bismarck at 3:45 pm.

In lieu of flowers, Helen’s family encourages donations to St. Gianna & Pietro Molla Maternity Home in Minto, ND, or to Ixcan Ministries (Guatemala Missions) out of Mandan, ND, on her behalf.