Funeral Services for Ernie Lieb, age 73, of Kearney and formerly of O'Neill will be at 11:00 am Saturday, July 11, 2026 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.  Rev. Kasey Summerer will officiate.  Burial will be at 1:30 pm on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at the Ziems Cemetery, south of Ewing with Military Honors provided by the O'Neill American Legion Simonson Post #93.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral at the funeral home. Ernie passed away on Sunday, June 28, 2026 at St. John's Nursing Home in Kearney.  Memorials may be directed to his family for future designation.  Arrangements are entrusted to Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.

Leland Ernest Lieb Jr. was born the middle child to Leland and Madeline (McKlem) Lieb on February 3, 1953 in O'Neill, Nebraska.  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, the love of his life, and their first date was The Exorcist at the Drive-In Theater.  The couple was married on December 20, 1975 at LeighAnn's mother's home in Ewing.  They made their home in O'Neill on Douglas Street where they raised 4 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 & 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 wife, LeighAnn Lieb of Kearney; his four children, Larry (Shelly) Lieb of Kearney,  Pamela (Scott) Snowardt of Johnson Lake, Kevin (Kristin) Lieb of Menifee, California, 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, Jayden Lieb; seven great grandchildren, Connor, Hailey, Emily, Cora, Emily, Warren, Harrison; one brother, Vern (Kathy) Lieb of Grand Island; Mel McKlem of O'Neill; several nieces and nephews.

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