A memorial service was held Jan. 27, 2003, at the Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord Church in Ninilchik. Funeral services were Jan. 28 at the church with burial at the church cemetery. Archpriest Macarius Targonsky and Father Simeon Oskolkoff officiated.
Mr. Liebenthal was born Dec. 10, 1918, in Westallis, Wis. He enlisted in the military serving during World War II with the 32nd Division of the Red Arrow. He also was awarded the Purple Heart.
Mr. Liebenthal graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1948 with a degree in agronomy. He moved to Alaska in 1949, homesteading with his wife, Susie, on 160 acres on Stariski Creek near Anchor Point. He worked as an extension agent for the University of Alaska. He also began his career teaching veterans in an "On the Farm" training program in 1949. He retired in 1976.
Mr. Liebenthal was a member of the Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord Church. He received a special award, "The Grammota," from the Bishop of Alaska for his outstanding work for the church. His hobbies included plants, plants and more plants, and working with the soils of the earth.
"He was a kind, giving and humble man who was loved by all he knew. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends," his family said.
Mr. Liebenthal was preceded in death by his wife, Susie, daughter, Sylvia, sons Mel and Reuben Cooper; brother Maynard, sisters Lilion, Emilie, Violet, Marie, Irene, an infant sister, Sophie, and his parents. He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Jonathan and Sheri Liebenthal of Ninilchik, Eddy and Debbie Cooper of Arizona and Bobby and Dena Cooper of Wasilla; daughter, Bernice Cooper of Anchorage; grandchildren, Nathan and Tiffany Stonecipher, Erin Clemons and husband, Chris, Mara Stephen and husband, Iain, Raymie Hamann, Shawn, Chris and Don Brown; many great-grandchildren; his twin sister, Regina Krekel and husband, Howie; and a brother, Ben Liebenthal and wife, Ruth.
Memorial donations may be sent to Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord Church, P.O. Box 3427, Kenai, AK 99611.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
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