David Liebnau
Feb. 21, 1947 – Oct. 30, 2026
Rev. David Liebnau, 79, went home to Jesus Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at Mercy Hospital South in St. Louis, Mo.
A visitation will be held 4 –7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, at Ziegenhein and Sons Funeral Home at 4830 Lemay Ferry Rd. St. Louis, MO 63129. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11 a.m.–12 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, at Saint Trinity Lutheran Church at 7404 Vermont Ave., St. Louis, MO 63111. Visitation will be held from 10–11 a.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Saint Trinity Lutheran Church or Compassion International.
He was a devoted husband to his wife of 52 years, Linda Liebnau; loving father of Laura (Scott) Osbourn of Kingsville, Maryland, Timothy (Heather) Liebnau of St. Louis, Mo., and Daniel (Susan) Liebnau of Matthews, N.C.; generous grandfather to Kaitlyn, Emily, Alex, Josh, and Jake; dear brother of Linda Decker and brother-in-law of Lorraine and Bill Wagner, Norma and Ralph Beckebrede, Sandy and David Burford, and Tom and Treva Schindler.
He was born to Herbert and Ruth Liebnau Feb. 21, 1947, in Toledo, Ohio. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Toledo. David attended Concordia University, Ann Arbor, and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He met Linda while at the Seminary and they were married June 29, 1974. Liebnau graduated with a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) in 1975. He took a call to minister at Our Redemer Lutheran Church in Webster, Wis., and Trinity Lutheran Church in Danbury, Wis. The family moved to St. Louis in 1981. In 1986, Liebnau accepted a call to be pastor at Saint Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Louis, Mo. He faithfully served the congregation and neighborhood around Saint Trinity for decades helping to coordinate dinners, youth group activities, the food pantry, bus trips, mission society events, Christmas caroling, and countless service projects. David and Linda visited the homebound, sick, and nursing home residents sharing prayer and Holy Communion.
Beyond his ministry, Liebnau found joy in baseball, hockey, reading, American history, and the beauty of God’s creation. He was a proud American who loved exploring the national parks, relaxing at the beach, and admiring the elegance of English gardens. These interests reflected his curiosity, love of learning, and appreciation for the world around him.
Liebnau was generous and loving. He had a quick wit and an infectious laugh. He had a strong faith in God. David used his talents and gifts to share the love of Jesus and help his family, friends, and all those around him. He will be dearly missed by all who loved and knew him.