Dr. Leo Bongers

Dr. Leo Vincent Bongers, Hanover, KS, passed away on October 12, 2010 in Manhattan, KS at the age of 88 years. A rosary service was held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 16 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Hanover, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Burial in St. John's Catholic Cemetery. Leo was born July 19, 1922 in Des Moines, IA. He was the eldest child and only son of Leo Vincent and Kathryn Ann (Keeler) Bongers. He attended Anita, IA public schools and Dowling Catholic High School in Des Moines. Leo worked in his father’s pharmacy after school and in the summers. After graduation, he enrolled at Creighton University. He worked his way through college washing dishes in a restaurant and working in a pharmacy. He met Margaret Stanosheck of Odell, NE while she was a student at Duchesne College in Omaha. They were married at St. John’s Catholic Church on the Creighton campus on June 17, 1943. They were married for 62 years and had 7 children. After serving in WWII in the Pacific region as a hospital pharmacist, Leo returned to finish his studies. He graduated from Creighton University School of Dentistry in 1948. Dr. Bongers was in family practice for 50 years in Hanover and Marysville, KS. He was a staff member of Hanover and Marysville Community Hospitals, as well as a dental consultant to Mary Marshall Manor and Hanover long-term care. Dr. Bongers earned many professional honors during his career. He was president of the Kansas State Dental Association in 1973, and president of the State of Kansas Board of Dental Examiners in 1974. He was president of the American Association of Dental Examiners in 1978, and was named the National Dentist Citizen of the Year in 1980. He was a life member of the international Pierre Fauchard Academy, and president of this honorary organization in 1981. He was chairman of the Commission on National Boards of the American Dental Association. He was a founding father of the Central Regional Dental Testing Service, a pioneering program which standardized and consolidated testing for dentists in a 12 state region. Dr. Bongers was a life member of the American Dental Association and the International College of Dentists. In 1980, he received the Alumni of Merit award from Creighton University. Since his college years, he was a life member of the Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honor Society, and Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the National Honorary Dental Society. Dr. Bongers was a life member and a Past State Deputy (1966-1968), of the Kansas Knights of Columbus. During his tenure, programs initiated included the annual Tootsie Roll benefit drive and the Oratorical Scholarship Program for high school students. He was a former president and trustee of the Knights of Columbus Charities Aid Foundation. Leo was a US Army veteran of WWII and life member of American Legion Post #302, Hanover, KS. Dr. Bongers served locally as president of the Hanover Chamber of Commerce. He also served on the Hanover City Council. Kansas Governor Robert Docking proclaimed June, 6 1968 as “Dr. Leo Bongers Appreciation Day”. Governor J. James Exon named him an admiral in the Nebraska Navy. His passions were family, dentistry, and his Catholic faith. His work with dental organizations and the Knights of Columbus required him to travel extensively throughout the United States and to many parts of the world, including Western Europe, Russia and Japan. He enjoyed travel, especially the opportunities to meet people. Leo was well known for inviting his colleagues at meetings to attend Mass with him. He loved to spend time with family, encouraging large gatherings at holidays and family reunions. He also enjoyed time with family watching sports or music programs. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret, in 2005; infant son, Gregory Vincent; parents, Leo and Kathryn; sisters, Mary Agnes Dearing, Mary Katherine Tenborg, and Margaret Ann Senn; and daughter-in-law, Mary Ann Schuessler Bongers. Survivors are sons, Barry Bongers (Mary), San Diego, CA, Dennis Bongers, Flower Mound, TX, James Bongers (Linda), Manhattan, KS; daughters, Mary Margaret Medlin (Jack), Gladstone, MO, Teresa Beaufait (Christopher), Omaha, NE, Patricia Parsons (Timothy), Manhattan, KS; grandchildren, Michael Bongers, Gregory Bongers, Brian Bongers, Brenda Nichols, Jessica Moore, Peter Bongers, Kathryn Cooney, Ann Marie Bongers, Andrew Medlin, Alyssa Parsons, MaryPat Beaufait, Emily Parsons and Gregory Beaufait; thirteen great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials to the St. John’s Catholic Church and School or the Knights of Columbus Charities Aid Foundation. Contributions may be sent in care of the Hanover Mortuary. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dr. Leo Bongers, please visit our flower store.