Rev. Ben Kenkel

 September 10, 1927 – August 28, 2019

Rev. Benedict J. Kenkel, 91 died August 28, 2019 at Elmcrest Retirement Center in Harlan, Iowa. He graduated from St. Joseph High School in Earling, Conception Seminary, and Catholic University. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 4, 1953 at St. Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines. He finished his studies with a degree in Canon Law from the Angelicum in Rome in 1955.

He served as Assistant Pastor in St. Anthony Church in Des Moines and in 1957 was made the Assistant Pastor at St. Ambrose Cathedral. In 1962, he became the Dean of Studies at Mount St. Bernard Seminary in Dubuque. He returned to the Diocese of Des Moines and after a short time as temporary administrator of St. Mary in Rosemount was made Pastor of St. Anthony Church in Des Moines in 1968. In 1979 he was moved to Council Bluffs as Pastor of St. Peter Church. His final assignment was St. Mary Guthrie Center and St. Cecelia Panora in 1986. In 2001 he retired and moved into St. Francis Worship Center in Council Bluffs and was later moved to Elmcrest Retirement Center in Harlan, Iowa.

He had several positions on the matrimonial tribunal of the Diocese of Des Moines. He was a chaplain in the Knights of Columbus in the parishes were he served. He was a member of the St. Joseph Educational Center Board and the St. Albert Board of Education. He served on term on the Executive Committee of the Council of Priests. He belonged to the Civitan Club, the South of Des Moines Ministerial Association and was a board member of the South Des Moines YMCA.

Father Kenkel was close to the members of his family. He loved golfing with family and friends, visiting his siblings homes for a good home cooked meal and connecting with his nieces and nephews was one of his great joys. Also, he will be remembered for his dedicated spiritual leadership wherever he served. HE was always available for his parishioners. His Sunday liturgies always lasted a full hour. He was very active in whatever fund raising efforts were being made. He donated a full set of kneelers for the pews and made donations to Parish Hall renovations and other building fund projects in his home Parish, St. Joseph’s in Earling, Iowa. In his younger days he was moderator for several study clubs in Des Moines.

Preceded him in death were his parents Joe and Antoinette Kenkel, brother Bob Kenkel; sister Germaine Staley; brother in laws Leonard Bissen, Marvin Staley, Don Staley; sister in law Maxine Kenkel; stepmother Irene (Swanson) Kenkel. Father Kenkel is survived by his siblings Bernice Bissen of Defiance, Iowa; Sister Kathleen F.S.P.A. of LaCrosse, Wisconsin; Elaine Staley of Charter Oak, Iowa; Joe (Loretta) Kenkel of Earling, Iowa; George (Bonnie) Kenkel of Harlan, Iowa.

Family Will Greet Friends AUG 30. 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM St. Joseph’s Catholic Church 212 Second Street Earling, IA 51530. Wake Service AUG 30. 7:00 PM St. Joseph’s Catholic Church 212 Second Street Earling, IA 51530. Mass of Christian Burial AUG 31. 10:30 AM St. Joseph’s Catholic Church 212 Second Street Earling, IA, 51530 St. Joseph’s Cemetery HWY Rd M16 Earling, IA 51530.