If you’ve ever spotted a lively crew heading to a park, wrangling a pack of dachshunds, or talking excitedly about Penn State football, chances are you’ve crossed paths with the Liebert family. With four kids, eight furry pets, two dozen chickens, and a deep love for community, the Lieberts bring warmth, humor, and heart to everyday life in Hershey.

At the center of it all are Katie Liebert (38) and Michael “Mike” Liebert (35), whose story is as local as it is love‑filled. Together with their children—Lillian (14), Claire (12), Michael Jr., better known as “Mikey” (3), and Matthew (2)—they’ve built a beautifully blended family that thrives on togetherness, tradition, and a little bit of delightful chaos.

Both Katie and Mike found their way to Hershey long before they found each other. Katie moved to the area in 2010 from York, launching her nursing career at Hershey Medical Center after graduating from York College of Pennsylvania. Mike arrived a couple of years later from the Pittsburgh area, drawn to Hershey’s small‑town charm while attending Penn State College of Medicine. Though their paths crossed many times at work, it wasn’t until 2018 that the timing—and a little help from matchmaking coworkers—finally aligned.

Their love story truly blossomed during night shifts and hallway conversations, eventually leading to a coffee date that turned into something special. Today, those early flirtations are treasured family lore—especially by Lily and Claire, who still laugh about their first meeting with Katie (which famously began with, “Can I borrow your charger?”).

Mike now works as an anesthesiologist and partner with West Shore Anesthesia Associates, serving several local medical centers. Katie, after more than a decade as a registered nurse and later as a nurse practitioner, made the heartfelt decision to step away from full‑time work in 2025 to focus on home life. For the Lieberts, this wasn’t just a logistical choice—it was a values‑driven one. Ensuring their children felt supported, safe, and truly together mattered more than anything else.

Life in the Liebert household is never dull. Lily and Claire, students at Hershey Middle School, are shining examples of maturity and leadership. Both girls are active in softball, Lily is deeply involved in cheerleading, and Claire adds music to the mix by playing flute in band. Their aspirations—ranging from medicine to law to teaching—reflect both ambition and heart.

Then there are Mikey and Matt, the dynamic toddler duo who keep everyone moving. Whether it’s trucks, sand, playgrounds, or simply getting as dirty as possible, the boys bring nonstop joy and laughter. Indoor days are rare in this family—rain or shine, adventure calls.

If four kids weren’t enough, the Lieberts have also opened their hearts—and home—to a menagerie of animals. Five dachshunds (Max, Rosie, Lucy, Nora, and Duncan), three rescue cats (Sunny, Smoky, and Stormy), and 24 chickens round out the household. With fresh eggs on the horizon and plenty of paws underfoot, there’s never a quiet moment.

The Liebert family keeps celebrations simple, meaningful, and centered on togetherness. Homemade birthday cakes, cozy holiday traditions, and their beloved annual New Year’s Day weenie roast set the tone. December brings advent calendars, gingerbread houses, Christmas movies with hot chocolate—and one especially memorable tradition: “Liebert Kitchen,” where Katie and Mike dress up and transform their kitchen into a fancy restaurant just for the girls.

Another favorite? Handwritten “I appreciate you because…” letters, exchanged among family members—a tradition that perfectly captures the love and gratitude woven into everyday life.

When they’re out and about, the Lieberts love thrift shopping, antiquing, exploring parks, and visiting farmers markets, especially Root’s Country Market and the Hershey Farmers Market. Summer often means Hersheypark season passes, while colder days call for Chocolate World or the Children’s Museum. Friday pizza nights—sometimes homemade, sometimes from a local shop—are a cherished family ritual in the making.

Giving back is also a core value. Through Mike’s work, the family supports local school cheerleading programs and youth softball, and they regularly donate to organizations like Jubilee Ministries and CommunityAid. You’ll often find them cheering on the Trojans on fall Fridays, proudly supporting the community that has given them so much.

Ask the Lieberts about their favorite neighborhood memory, and the answer comes easily: their backyard wedding in 2021. With close family and friends, hoagies from a local favorite, and dancing late into the night, it was intimate, joyful, and unmistakably Hershey. Lily stood as maid of honor, Claire sprinkled petals as flower girl, and the celebration became a core family memory they’ll treasure forever.