LYBBERT, Eugene "Gene" 1930-2019

LYBBERT, BACON, NORDLY

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 6/7/2019 at 20:14:56

Eugene “Gene” Lybbert (1930-2019)

CEDAR FALLS, IOWA – Eugene “Gene” Lybbert, 89, of Cedar Falls died Saturday, June 1, 2019, at the Western Home Communities – Thalman Square.

He was born January 9, 1930, in rural Cresco, Iowa, son of Edward and Genevieve (Bacon) Lybbert. He married Katherine "Kak" Nordly on May 12, 1951 in Cedar Falls. She preceded him in death on October 18, 2008.

Gene graduated from Cresco High School and Iowa State Teachers College (UNI) , where he placed First in the 1952 NCAA wrestling tournament. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War; then was a teacher and wrestling coach for four years, in Blue Earth, MN. He then was an insurance agent and agency manager for State Farm Insurance.

Survived by: three daughters, Sue (Greg) Garvin of Muscatine, Lynn Welden of Murrells Inlet, SC, and Tracy (Joby) Javellana of Cedar Falls; two sons, Brad (Beth) Lybbert of Davenport, and J.J. Lybbert of Madison; fourteen grandchildren: Jill (Drew) Smith, Jon (Megan) Garvin, Matt (Danielle) Garvin, Caroline and Kaitlyn Welden, Payten (Kyle) Gerjerts, Anna (Lucas Hartleben) Javellana, Austin Javellana, Lauren, Nic and McKenna Lybbert, Sierra, Calib and Abby Lybbert; eleven great grandchildren; and special friend, Sue DeBower of Cedar Falls.

Preceded in death by: four brothers, Elton, Edward, Donald and Leonard Lybbert; three sisters, Marion Wright, Josephine Tyrell and Helen Seargent.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 7th at St. Patrick Catholic Church with burial in Greenwood Cemetery, both in Cedar Falls. Military Honors will be conducted by the Cedar Falls AMVETS Post 49 Honor Guard. Visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Richardson Funeral Service where there will be a 4 p.m. Rosary and 7 p.m. Vigil service. Visitation also for one hour prior to Mass at the church.

Memorials may be directed to the church, UNI Wrestling, or the Hon Nordly & Gene Lybbert Athletic Training Scholarship at UNI.

Condolences may be left at www.richardsonfuneralsaervice.com.

Gene enjoyed a successful wrestling career, both as wrester and coach. He was inducted into the University of Northern Iowa Hall of Fame, Dan Gable Hall of Fame, Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame and Minnesota Wrestling Hall of Fame.

SOURCE: Richardson Funeral Service website