Obituaries : Clyde Albert Leimberer

Devoted husband, beloved father, and brother in Christ, Clyde Albert Leimberer, age 78, died suddenly on Sunday April 24th, 2022 in his home in Burnsville, MN.

Born on August 4th, 1943, to Thelma (Walter) and Milo Leimberer, Clyde spent his youth tending to the family farm just outside of Hartwick, Iowa. Though farming stayed in his bones throughout his life, and showed itself in boundless gardens and a love for tractors, his eyes turned to the ministry at a young age. One of his first life lessons was: Do not discount little things with little people.

When he graduated from Belle Plaine Senior High school in 1961, his family supported his choice to leave farming and he went on to attend St. Paul Bible College (Crown College). He graduated there in 1965, and married his lifelong love, Earlyne (Cook) Leimberer shortly thereafter on June 19th, 1965.

He and Earlyne made their way back to Iowa to his first church appointment in Clutier, started their family, and then on to a church in Des Moines. The Lord led them to Chicago IL, then Florissant MO, as their family grew to 5 children. The family together continued their way up to Wadena, MN then, as some left the nest, on to Huron, SD. Clyde's second life lesson was: When we give willingly to the Lord, He provides.

Clyde was never one to stop studying and learning. True to his nature, at around age 50, he decided to further his education and went back to school. With the youngest in tow, he and Earlyne moved to Sioux Falls SD, where he attended the North American Baptist Seminary. He graduated in 1993 with a Masters Degree in Religious Education with a focus on Senior Adult and Family Ministry. His plan was to become the pastor to Senior Adults in a large church and retire in that position. God's plan was for him to become the ChapIain/Assistant Administrator at the Baptist Home of Bismarck until retirement. Another lesson learned was: God's path for us can be very different from our expectations.

Not long after retirement, he and Earlyne made their way back to MN, where they could be closer to family (and 10 of their 13 grandchildren). He continued to serve in other ways, such as helping with emergency relief in Haiti and North Field, police reserve and chaplaincy, various committees, and volunteer snow blowing. Those who knew Clyde knew him for his resourceful ingenuity (like the Hardley Davidson), a welcoming smile, some sage advice, and sometimes a story or a joke (if you were lucky).

Of the many things he taught throughout his life, there are a few lessons he hoped to pass on. The last being: Allow for holes and an open top in your 'bucket list'.

Clyde is now celebrating in Heaven with both of his parents who made it home before him. He leaves behind his wife Earlyne, 5 children; Sonia (Jeff) Quade, Brenda Leimberer, "Ike" Dwight (Christine) Kingson, Tina (Calvin) Paulk, Sarah Leimberer, 13 grandchildren, and one great granddaughter, as well as his sister Mary and many cousins and extended family.

"We believe thoroughly that there is a time for everything, including a time to die. We are living proof that these bodies and minds do wear out and need repair. There will be a time where we will be embracing death as a friend who will usher us into the very presence of Christ in Heaven."-CLeimberer

The family would like to invite you to come celebrate his life and reminisce together at an Open House Memorial from 1- 3 pm. with service at 1 p.m. on Saturday August 6th at the Hrabak-Neuhaus Funeral Service in Belle Plaine Iowa.

Memorial gifts can be sent to C&MA Missions, Crown College, or Big Sandy Camp.