Father Leonard Anthony Kenkel was born on May 28, 1934, in Panama, Iowa, to William and Anna (Wingert) Kenkel. He grew up with his sisters, Lauretta and Sister Sylvia, OSB, and his brothers Michael, Sylvan, David, Damian, and Eugene.
He was educated at St. Mary’s School in Panama, 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, Kansas, in 1956, and a Master of Science in Biology from St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota, in 1969.
Father Leonard was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Des Moines on June 5, 1960, at St. Ambrose Cathedral by Bishop Edward C. Daly, OP. He served as an assistant at Christ the King Parish in Des Moines, St. Boniface Parish in Westphalia, and Holy Trinity Parish in Des Moines.
From 1962 to 1989, Father Leonard taught biology and chemistry at Dowling Catholic High School in Des Moines. 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 from 1990 to 1996, and as pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Creston and St. Edward Parish in Afton 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.
Following retirement, Father Leonard resided in West Des Moines before moving to assisted living in Harlan, Iowa, in 2016. Father Leonard passed away peacefully at Elm Crest in Harlan, Iowa on Saturday, February 7, 2026 attaining the age of 91 years, 8 months and 10 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Anna Kenkel; sister, Lauretta Kenkel; brothers, Michael Kenkel and Sylvan Kenkel; sisters-in-law, Patricia Kenkel and Joyce Kenkel. He is survived by his siblings, Sylvia Kenkel OSB of Atchison, KS; Damian Kenkel of Panama, IA; David Kenkel of Panama, IA; Eugene (Patricia) Kenkel of Panama, IA; sister-in-law Patricia Kenkel of Burr Ridge, IL, Joyce Kenkel of Panama, IA; eight nieces, eleven nephews, and many grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, February 17th at 10:30 AM at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Panama. Visitation will be held on Monday, February 16th from 5 to 7 PM at the church followed by a wake service. Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Panama.
The Pauley Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
