Harold Stephen Luebbering, age 79, of St. Thomas, passed away unexpectedly from this earthly life on Thursday, November 23, 2023, at University Hospital in Columbia.  He was born on November 8, 1944, oldest son of the late John and Minnie (Loethen) Luebbering.  On November 8, 1980, Harold was united in marriage to Donna A. Plassmeyer at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.  He chose the wedding date because it was his birth date and he would always remember it.

Harold attended St. Thomas the Apostle School.  He served in the U.S. Army from 1968 until his honorable discharge in 1974, having served two of those years in Germany.

He and his brother operated H&A Dairy, the family farm.  They sold the dairy cattle in 2017 after being in the business over 50 years and continue with the beef cattle operation.  The sign at the driveway reads "Born to Farm" and that was his life, proud of planting those long straight rows of corn and beans in the Osage River bottom.

He always made sure that the dogs were part of his farm life, especially the border collies, Cisco, Bo, and Pepper, who accompanied him everywhere over the years.

He drove a school bus from August 1996 until May 2014, transporting students to the St. Thomas and Blair Oaks Schools.  He often chuckled at the stories he was told by those students and enjoyed teasing the kids.

Harold was a faithful member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.

His beloved wife, Donna was by his side for 43 years with raising their family and being caretakers of the farm.  She survives him along with three daughters and their families, Sandra (Mark) Kloeppel of Brinktown, Lynn (Patrick) Taggart of St. Thomas and Angela (Will) Rowden of Brinktown; his grandchildren, who he loved to spoil include Ethan, Katie, and Blake Kloeppel, Adaline Taggart, Nicole, Sadie, and Luke Rowden; his siblings, Eleanore (Larry) Koetting of Henley, Joan (Harold) Deeken of Argyle, and Anthony Luebbering of St. Thomas; and numerous nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Minnie Luebbering and father and mother-in-law, Roman and Geneva Plassmeyer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., with visitation from 9 to 10 a.m., on Monday, November 27, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in St. Thomas with Fr. Mark Porterfield and Fr. Leonard Mukiibi officiating.  Interment with military honors will be held at St. Thomas Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., with a rosary at 4 p.m., on Sunday, November 26, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Thomas Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Fancher-Rekus Funeral Home in Meta.