Leland "Ernie" E. Lieb Jr.

Kearney — Leland "Ernie" Ernest Lieb Jr., 73, of Kearney, formerly of O'Neill, died Sunday, June 28, 2026 at St. John's Nursing Home in Kearney.

Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at the mortuary in O'Neill. Rev. Kasey Summerer will officiate.

Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at the Ziems Cemetery south of Ewing.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Leland Ernest Lieb Jr. was born the middle child to Leland and Madeline (McDermott) Lieb on Feb. 3, 1953 in O'Neill. He attended O'Neill Public Schools and graduated with the class of 1971. While in High School, Ernie loved playing football. 

After high school, Ernie enlisted in to the United States Marines where he was a tank mechanic and earned the rank of Sergeant. He was honorably discharged in 1974. He then returned to O'Neill and was a mechanic for Trowbridge Ford.  

Ernie met LeighAnn Pruden and their first date was at the drive-in theater - The Exorcist. The couple was married on Dec. 20, 1975 at LeighAnn's mother's home in Ewing. They made their home in O'Neill on Douglas Street where they raised four children.  

Ernie later went to work for the City of O'Neill as the street superintendent for many years. 

The family then moved to Kearney, in the early 1990's. Ernie worked for Miller & Associates and then the City of Kearney. In the later years, he took his passion for hunting to another level by starting his own firearm business, E&L Firearms.

Ernie was a member of the O'Neill and Kearney American Legion and a member of the NRA.  

In Kearney he took classes at UNK while working as a mechanic at Graham Tire and as a paramedic. He also was a volunteer fireman for Kearney.  

He was an avid fisherman and hunter, specifically deer with his bow and rifle. He also enjoyed gardening and working on cars.

Ernie is survived by his four children Larry (Shelly) Lieb of Kearney, Pamela (Scott) Snowardt of Johnson Lake, Kevin (Kristin) Lieb of Menifee, CA and Amanda Lieb of Omaha; 15 grandchildren Jennifer (Zack) Edwards, Sadie Lieb, Gina (Jordan) Lieb, Alexandria (Jacob) Williams, Erin Lieb, Tanner (Shaeley) Hallman, Austin Hallman, Bailey Lieb, Alissa Lieb, Kayden Lieb, Mila Lieb, Raelynn Lieb, Madelynn Lieb, Austin Weaver-Lieb and Jayden Lieb; seven great-grandchildren Connor, Hailey, Emily, Cora, Emily, Warren and Harrison; one brother Vern (Kathy) Lieb of Grand Island; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Kathryn Palmer.