Wilbert “Willie” Laib, age 86, of New Rockford, ND, died Tuesday, June 20, 2017, in Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd, New Rockford.

Wilbert Eugene Laib, known as Willie, was born July 29, 1930, on the family farm south of Mercer, ND, the son of Fred and Martha (Schlafman) Laib.  He grew up there, attended school at Mercer, and then worked on the family farm.

On July 1, 1954, Wilbert was united in marriage to Gertrude Jean Strobel at McClusky, ND.  In 1955, they moved to Bismarck, ND, were he worked various jobs. In 1971, they moved back to Mercer, and Willie bought the family farm.  They farmed until 1984, when they moved to Carrington, ND, where they bought and operated the DelClaire Motel.   Willie and Gertie retired in 1993, and moved to New Rockford.

He was a member of First Lutheran Church, New Rockford.  They attended many threshing shows, including shows at Rollag, MN and New Rockford.  They enjoyed taking Farmers Union bus tours to various locations, and had taken three trips to the Philippines to visit their son Dale.  Favorite activities included fishing, playing cards and various board games.  Willie and Gertie were often seen taking walks around New Rockford, collecting the cans they encountered along the way.

Willie is survived by his wife Gertrude “Gertie”, New Rockford; one son Dale of Jamestown, ND, and the Philippines; two daughters, Jeannie Laib, Fargo, ND, Jannell (David) Lagein, Rock Lake, ND; 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Marion (Lloyd) Heid of Mercer, ND.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Renee Fields; one son, Robert; one granddaughter Shaila Fields; his parents, two brothers Meinhart and LeRoy; and two sisters, Eileen Schell, and infant Loretta Laib.

PRAYER SERVICE:

Friday (June 23) at 6:30PM in First Lutheran Church

FUNERAL SERVICE:

First Lutheran Church, New Rockford, ND

DATE AND TIME:

Saturday, June 24, 2017 at 11:00AM

BURIAL:

Zion Lutheran Cemetery, rural Mercer, ND, at a later date