Kenkel, Fr. Leonard Anthony (1934 - 2026)

KENKEL, WINGERT

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 2/26/2026 at 15:19:13

Name of deceased: Leonard Anthony Kenkel

Aged: 91 yrs, 8 mo, 10 days

Residence: Elm Crest Retirement Community, Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Born: May 28, 1934; Panama, Shelby County, IA

Died: Feb. 7, 2016; Elm Crest Retirement Community, Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Funeral services: Mass of Christian Burial: Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026; St. Mary of the Assumption, Panama, IA; burial was in St. Mary's Cemetery, Panama, IA

Survived by: Siblings, Sylvia Kenkel OSB of Atchison, KS, Damian Kenkel of Panama, IA, David Kenkel of Panama, IA, and Eugene (spouse, Patricia) Kenkel of Panama, IA; sister-in-law, Patricia Kenkel of Burr Ridge, IL, and Joyce Kenkel of Panama, IA; 8 nieces; 11 nephews; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, William and Anna (nee Wingert) Kenkel; sister, Lauretta Kenkel; brothers, Michael Kenkel and Sylvan Kenkel; sisters-in-law, Patricia Kenkel and Joyce Kenkel

Education: Educated at St. Mary’s School in Panama, IA, graduating from grade school in 1948 and high school in 1952. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from St. Benedict’s College in Atchison, KS, in 1956, and a Master of Science in Biology from St. Mary’s University in Winona, MN, in 1969. Was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Des Moines on June 5, 1960, at St. Ambrose Cathedral by Bishop Edward C. Daly, OP.

Religious affiliation: Catholic

Military service: n/a

Marriage: n/a

Employment: After his ordination, Father Leonard served as an assistant at Christ the King Parish in Des Moines, IA, St. Boniface Parish in Westphalia, IA, and Holy Trinity Parish in Des Moines, IA. From 1962 to 1989, Father Leonard taught biology and chemistry at Dowling Catholic High School in Des Moines, IA. He served as chairman of the Science Department for 22 years and was chaplain to Dowling athletes throughout his teaching career. In recognition of his work, he received the Excellence in Teaching of Biology Award from the Iowa Academy of Science and the Outstanding Biology Teacher Award from the National Association of Biology Teachers in 1979. During his time at Dowling Catholic School, he planted 850 trees under the direction of the Bishop on the new Dowling Catholic campus. In 2014, he was awarded the “Warm Arbor Day Appreciation” award. Father Leonard published articles in The Science Teacher and Science Education, including “Teaching Mitosis with Playing Cards” (1980) and “A Case Against Scientific Creationism: A Look at Content Issues” (1985).
He later served as pastor of St. Peter Parish in Des Moines, IA from 1990 to 1996, and as pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Creston, IA and St. Edward Parish in Afton, IA from 1996 until his retirement in July 2008. He then became an on-call Chaplin serving hospitals in Des Moines from 2008 until 2016. Additional honors included a Fourth Degree Exemplification as a Sir Knight in 2011, the Spirit of St. Malachy Award in 2012, recognition for 27 years of service in education, and acknowledgments for service to Dowling Catholic High School and its athletic programs.

Hobbies/Interests: no information provided

Sources: kjan.com; knodfm.com; pauleyjones.com