MASON CITY — Debra Renee Leibrand, 73, of Mason City, passed away Friday, June 5, 2026, at Good Shepherd Health Care Center while under hospice care.
Debra was born December 26, 1952, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to William and Patsy Beck. She grew up in Council Bluffs, where she was active in school, excelled academically and competed in tennis. After graduating from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1971, she went on to attend the University of Iowa.
At Iowa, Debra played tennis for two years before focusing fully on her pharmacy studies. She graduated from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy in 1976.
It was also at pharmacy school where Debra met Tim Leibrand. The two became best friends, later married, and made their home in Mason City. They were nearing their 50th wedding anniversary, which would have been June 26, 2026.
Debra built a long career as a pharmacist in Mason City and North Iowa. She worked at Key Rexall Drug, later served for 20 years as the in-house pharmacist at Good Shepherd Health Center, and continued her professional work through chart reviews and consulting for area nursing homes before retiring in 2016.
Her greatest joy was family. Debra was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who rarely missed the activities of her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed baking with them, watching them grow, helping them practice, giving advice and sharing time together. She also enjoyed being outdoors, walking, caring for the yard, going to the neighborhood pool and cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Debra was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2022 and later achieved remission. She was later diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. During a Mayo Clinic evaluation in late May, doctors found a large brain tumor, and she passed away peacefully days later surrounded by family.
She is survived by her husband, Tim; daughter Kara Swenson and her husband, Erik, of Johnston; son Matthew Leibrand and his wife, Kari, of Mason City; grandchildren Joshua and Jacob Swenson, and Reece, Ryder and Summer Leibrand; brother Kent Beck and his wife, Gail, of Pittsburgh; sisters Sheryl Beck and Julie Beck, both of Tampa, Florida; nephews Nick and Luke Beck; and niece Madeline Beck.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Patsy Beck; and grandparents Joseph and Emma Beck, and Robert and Georgia Goshorn.
A visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd Street NE in Mason City.
A celebration of life will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, with Pastor Beverly Butler officiating. Memorials may be directed to the Newman Catholic Foundation of Mason City.
Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel is handling arrangements. To read more and see the full obituary, please click here.
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