Artie Lebsack

Artie Lebsack

July 3, 1920 - July 20, 2014

McCOOK, Neb. -- Artie Lebsack peacefully passed away shortly after midnight on Sunday, July 20, 2014, after just celebrating his 94th birthday on July 3rd.

Artie's identical twin brother, Sammy, predeceased him in 1981. The twins were born in 1920 at 2 ½ lbs and were not expected to survive. Their mother placed them in shoeboxes in the oven for incubation and fed them with an eyedropper to keep them alive. Artie's parents, Elizabeth Brungardt and Conrad Lebsack, were German immigrants who united after previous marriages. The combined family totaled 15 children.

At the age of 19, Artie and Sammy enlisted in the Army. Through a Presidential Order granted by President Roosevelt, the twins were allowed to serve together during WWII. They both survived the brutal campaigns of the Pacific Theater, liberating Guam, enduring battles on various islands, as well as occupation duty in Japan. Artie was awarded the Bronze Star. A story about his time in the service can be viewed at: http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/1542327.html

After returning to McCook, Artie worked at Stevens Bottling Company. He later married Virginia O'Donnell in 1948, and went to work for Burlington Northern Railroad/Amtrak, where he remained employed for close to 40 years before retiring. Artie and Virginia celebrated 56 years of marriage before her passing in 2006. Both were life-time residents of McCook.

Artie was an avid golfer, still hitting balls over 100 yards on his 94th birthday. He was a member of the Elks Lodge, VFW, Railroad Union and the American Legion. Over the last eight years, he thoroughly enjoyed his daily treks to the Senior Center. Visiting, singing and dancing with his friends over lunch was the highlight of each day. He loved the staff and assisted as their designated "Garbage Engineer" to lighten their load.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his brothers, Sammy, Hank, Ray and sister, Edna Lebsack; his half-brothers, Rueben and John Hoff and Conrad Jr., Carl, and Fred Lebsack; and his half sisters, Elizabeth McKee, Martha Boyner and Marie Sell.

He is survived by his sister, Clara Adams (Dale) and his brother, Harry Lebsack (Mary) of McCook; his daughters, Lori Backer (David), Boise, Idaho, and Patsy Botts of Denver, Colorado; grandchildren, Braun Backer (Jamie), Denver, Dani Backer (Mark Dillon), Kasi Backer (Bill Hurlburt), Boise, Idaho, Kyle Botts, Denver and McKenna Botts, Fort Collins, Colorado; great-grandchildren, Bodhi and Beckett Dillon and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation will be at Hermann-Jones Mortuary on Thursday, July 24, 2014, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. with family present from 5 to 7 p.m. Memorial service will be officiated by Rev. Jeff Adams, nephew and son of Clara and Dale Adams, on Friday, July 25, at 2 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 212 East E Street, in McCook. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorials may be left in his name to disabled veterans in care of Herrmann Jones Funeral Home or to the Senior Center in McCook.

Online condolences can be left at herrmannfh.com

Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.