Jerold L. "Jerry" Liebst

Jerold Lee Liebst passed away on Sunday, January 4, 2026 surrounded by his family.

Jerry is survived by his wife Carol, son Brandon and wife Ange; daughter Casey and husband Brett; granddaughter Ryan Toomay; siblings Craig, Bruce and wife Maria, Brad and wife Susan, Mark and Sally, Layne and wife Terrie, Michelle Hoffmann and husband Klaus, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents.

The first born son of Jerold and Marie Liebst, Jerry was born on November 2, 1950 in Hastings, Nebraska. Jerry spent most of his childhood growing up in Wichita, where he attended Kelley Elementary School, Truesdell Junior High, and Wichita High School South. He played football and tennis, but his strongest sport was swimming, placing at the state finals in multiple events. He attended Oklahoma State University on an athletic scholarship and ultimately earned a bachelor's degree from The Wichita State University.

Jerry married his childhood sweetheart, Carol Swadley, on January 8, 1972. Throughout their 54 years of marriage, they enjoyed traveling to our National Parks, a favorite trip being a winter trip to Yellowstone National Park. Other favorite trips were to Walt Disney World, and deep sea fishing trips in Cabo San Lucas and off the coast of Florida.

Jerry served the City of Wichita for over 30 years, beginning as a lifeguard at Osage Pool and finishing his career as a General Recreation Supervisor and Aquatics Director. Over his career, he provided sports and recreation opportunities for people of all ages at Osage, Edgemoor, Orchard, and Aley Recreation Centers, and the Wichita Arts and Crafts Center. If you swam in a city pool in the 1970s through the 1990s, it was due in part to Jerry's leadership. He designed the original waving Santa, snowman, saluting soldiers and other smaller decorations that are part of the City's downtown holiday light display.

In addition to his service to the City of Wichita, Jerry served as the guardian to his Uncle Dwight for many years, delivering on a promise he made to his grandmother.

A true outdoorsman, Jerry's favorite hobbies were hunting and fishing. He traveled across the US participating in fishing tournaments, including the Heartland Pro Am in 2004, where he won 1st place in the Amateur division and the prize for the biggest bass.

Services will begin at 2:00pm, Friday, January 9, at the Cozine Life Events Center with Graveside Committal Services following at Kensington Gardens in Wichita, Kansas. After the committal, there will be a dinner for family and friends back at the Life Events Center.

Jerry's legacy will live on in the shared memories of those who loved him and those whose lives he touched. He will be missed.

Memorials may be made to:
Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice
313 S Market Street
Wichita, KS 67202
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Jerold and Marie Liebst Engineering Scholarship 610378 
c/o The Wichita State University
1845 Fairmount St
Wichita, KS 67260