Our beloved Wilford Lieber passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 2, 2021. He died of natural causes incident to age, returning to his heavenly home after a rich and full life.
Wilford was born on February 26, 1928 in Basel, Switzerland to Ulrich and Eva Lieber. The youngest of five children, Wilford came to America at the age of 20 and always kept a deep love for both Switzerland and his adopted country. He was equally at ease as the Swiss Consulate for the state of Utah or giving a patriotic address on the 4th of July. As a young man he served in the Swiss military, and after coming to Utah met the love of his life, Mary Jean Kovan. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on March 7, 1952. Wilf and Mary Jean were blessed with five children, and family was the focal point of his life.
Wilford spent over 30 years working for the State of Utah in the Department of Agriculture. He eventually became Director of Laboratories for the State of Utah. Ever the entrepreneur, Wilf always had ideas and concepts he worked on for future ventures. In 1978 he and Mary Jean founded International Down and Feather Testing Laboratory (IDFL). From humble beginnings, Wilf and Mary Jean made IDFL an international leader in the down and feather industry. Today, still family owned and operated by oldest son Wilford Jr., IDFL has staff in 13 countries with offices in 9 countries spanning the United States, Asia, and Europe. IDFL has become a truly global leader in quality testing. Honor and integrity were paramount in all his business dealings as people worldwide knew of his reputation. Wilf and Mary Jean travelled extensively all over the world, creating lasting friendships with every stop. He would later say, "IDFL" meant to him, "I Do For the Lord".
He truly was a gentle disciple of Christ. Wilford was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in many capacities and had very special years as a beloved bishop in the Edgehill Ward. Wilford and Mary Jean served a church mission in Halifax, Nova Scotia where they again affected countless lives. Wilf loved hiking, skiing, photography, collecting, and was a great hockey player. He was a member of one of Utah's earliest hockey teams, the Salt Lake Seagulls. He travelled with the hockey team playing games against characters including Evel Knievel and Detroit Red Wing great, "Terrible Ted" Lindsay. Wilf played hockey into his 60's and spent many years as an official/goal judge for the Salt Lake Golden Eagles hockey team. Wilf was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.
One of the greatest traits he shared with his family was a life full of gratitude. When his beloved wife Mary Jean passed away in 2012, he was so grateful for the life and family they shared. True to form, he felt gratitude and love again for Liz Lindeman coming into his life and they were married April 11, 2014. Wilford was the epitome of kindness and unconditional love, spending the last week of mortality thanking people while saying "I love you" to all.
Wilford was preceded in death by his parents, four siblings, and wife Mary Jean. He is survived by his five children Wilford Lieber (Constance), Judy Lieber (Sam Sewell), Michael Lieber (Janell), Susan Morrow (Gregg) and Scott Lieber (Kristin). He is also survived by his wife Liz, 21 grandchildren, and 45 great grandchildren. A graveside service for the family and close friends will be held Tuesday, April 6th at 12:00 noon. Interment will be at the Mountain View Memorial Cemetery at 3115 Bengal Blvd., Cottonwood Heights, Utah. For those unable to attend the graveside services, you may watch via the link above.
"Well done thou good and faithful servant."
We love you dad.
Dear Lieber family,
My deepest sympathy and condolences.
I shall remember Wilf as a sympathetic and hospitable man who opened the doors of his house for my mother and me in 2003.
We were total strangers to him and Mary Jean but nevertheless we were welcome to join my Uncle Gerard and Aunt Ineke.
It was a wonderful time, we never felt strangers in the company of Wilf and Mary Jean.
I got to know them both as warm hearted, caring and loving people with smiley faces.
Dear family wishing you strength!
We wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to Liz Lieber and the Wilford Lieber family and friends. May you find God's peace and love.
The Guenther Family
Wilhelm Guenther & family, Ruth Koestel & family, Mary Heaps & family, Linda Rasmussen & family, David Guenther & family, Colleen Ballentine & family, Kenneth Guenther & family.
Gain comfort in the remembrance of happy times together enjoying friends and family. God is always with us and provides us with all we need to move forward in life. Special moments together will remain in my heart. Until we meet again, I wish you peace and love.
This is just a correction for the condolence submitted by Marianne E Burton. At the end of my remarks, I forgot to add:
With much sympathy,
Stephen and Marianne Burton
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Liz and to the Lieber Family. We enjoyed a pleasant friendship with Mary Jean and Wilf when they moved into our neighborhood. They were always most kind. After Liz became Wolf’s devoted wife, we were pleased to be able to become acquainted with her, as well, and appreciated her sweet spirit.
We pray that you all may be comforted.
My deepest sympathy to all Wilford dear family at this time of sorrow.
Wilford touched my life while I was a teen in the LDS Wasatch 2nd Ward enjoying the Boy Scouts activities with him as the leader! As I write I see him in my mind in the late 1960s dressed in the uniform, and directing us long-haired, rowdy, rebellious punks. No doubt that patience ran deeply in Wilf along with his many skills, talents, and strengths and virtues. I hear his voice with a distinctive and (to me) admired Swiss accent as he lead us through a particular tour of the State Chemists Department where he worked at the time; and I recall the realization occurring to me that there was so much more to the depth of this man's life and knowledge than merely the "guy in the Scout Troop" and the dad of the kids living just a few houses up the street from my family on Bryan Avenue. To the Lieber Family I express my fond memories of your father and, of course, affection toward all of you. All my best wishes at this tender time.
We are so sorry for the loss, may his soul rest in peace. Its really sad news for all of us.
Regards,
Faizan
Once I got judge well by the people who knew my father. I did not get to know Wilford Lieber Sr, but his son. By the character of his son, the president of our Hanzhou Branch I can see how a person Wilford Lieber has been. I wish to express my condolescenses to Lieber family while assuring and adding my simple knowledge that one day we all see eachother again. If you need me for anything , I am always here….
Marcelo
Dear Lieber Family, Our condolences for you loss, Wilford and Mary Jane were wonderful neighbors on Hiawatha. He was always kind and made raising teens easier. I will always remember the talks sitting on the bench in his front yard by the fountain. Our life was enriched by our time as neighbors.
To the Wilford family, my most sincere condolences. I know he is with our Heavenly Father now.
Donna and I send our deepest condolence to the family of the late Wilford Lieber Sr. He was a great friend and a good man. we will miss him.
Sentite condoglianze alla famiglia per la perdita del loro caro e al gruppo IDFL per la perdita del loro leader. Un grande uomo.
Hammerfest staff
It is sad to hear of Mr. Wilford Lieber's passing. Our condolence and sympathy to his family during this sorrow time. Thank you for your contribution to the industry.
- Lena ip
Our hearts go out to you and your family.
I want you to know that I am with you in thought and wish you comfort and peace.
Thinking of you in these difficult times.
With caring thoughts,
All the Interplume Team, France
On behalf of all Pyrénées Feather Team, France, I wish to extend sincere condolences to his family and a message of support to all his relatives to the hardship they go through.
To the Wilford family, our most sincere condolences. We are so sorry for the loss.
Dear family, we are wishing yu strenght!
Manuela Schneidergruber
Toutes mes sincères condoléances,
Cela avait toujours était un plaisir que de deviser avec Wilford Lieber S,
Un grand Homme nous quitte,
Paix à son âme,
Je tenais à vous faire part de notre soutien,
Bien Cordialement
Jean-Philippe
I, MR SHAFAT SHEIKH, feel sad to hear that Wilford Lieber has passed away. I pray to
ALMIGHTY GOD to keep his soul in peace.
C'est avec une grande tristesse que nous nous joignons à vous dans ces instants.
Sincères condoléances,
Nathalie Hagege
We heard about the sad loss of this great man and foundamental personality for the entire Down & Feathers industry.
We stay close with our mind and soul to the family and all the loved ones.
Condolences on his passing. May he rest in peace!
We are so sorry to hear of the loss from this great leader in the industry. Blessings to the family
condolences to the family for this great loss, never knew him personally but understand and feel what it must be like for his family and wilf jr.
Dear family Lieber,
We are so sorry to hear the sad news.
Our family was all the time happy to meet Mary Jean and Wilford.
The help and assistance given in the feather industry will be always remembered.
RIP
Sabine Manteuffel and family
Plessingstrasse 14
23566 Lübeck
Germany
Dear Lieber and IDFL family,
I had the pleasure of meeting Wilfred in the late eighties and early nineties when I first joined the family business. I always came away with the feeling that I had spent some time with an honorable man and the world is the better for having someone like him in it.
His departure is keenly felt.
Our deepest condolences to the Lieber family and everyone at IDFL.
Charles Hyland.
My condolences to you and your family Scott.