Leo Bargenquast
January 31, 1925 — July 12, 2023
Leo Lavern Bargenquast was the youngest of 10 children, born on January 31, 1925 to the late Friedrich (Fred) and Margret Bargenquast of Irwin, IA. His father died of influenza when Leo was only three years old. From the age of 2 to 14 Leo lived in Harlan, Avoca, Shelby and Kirkman.
When World War II broke out, Leo enlisted in the U.S. Navy on his 17th birthday. He went to Boot Camp in San Diego, CA. After boot camp, he was drafted into the Armed Guard as a Signalman. (The Armed Guard was used to protect merchant ships and consisted of gunners, signalmen and radio operators). Leo spent some 37 months on duty in the South Pacific serving on two tankers, one Dutch troop transport (MS Bloemfontein) and one cargo ship (SS Cape Alava).
Leo met LaVonne Comstock in the late 1930’s when they were both going to school in Kirkman, IA. Years later while Leo was on leave from the Navy, they met again at Paxton Drug Store in Harlan, IA., while they were both waiting for the same bus to go to Omaha. They sat together on the bus going to Omaha. Two weeks later, Leo sent a letter to LaVonne asking her to marry him. They were united into marriage at the Algiers Naval Station in New Orleans (where he was stationed at the time), by the Navy Chaplain and in the presence of over 200 sailors on 29 May 1945. To this union five children were born: Dennis (who was deceased in infancy), Cheryl (1947), Gary (1950), Connie (1952) and Linda (1959).
After Leo was discharged from the Navy in October 1945, they moved to Kirkman, IA and then to Irwin, IA while Leo was working for Purina Feed Store in Irwin. In 1953, Leo was transferred to Van Nostrand Grain Company in Avoca, IA., and the family relocated to a farm outside of Avoca. Leo worked at Van Nostrand Grain Company for 25 years. During this time, Leo served as Avoca’s Scoutmaster (Troop 97) for four years in the mid-1960’s. In 1969 they moved in town to Avoca and have lived there ever since.
In 1972, Leo worked as a Weight Enforcement Officer, first for the Iowa Commerce Commission and then the Iowa Department of Transportation, after the departments were merged in 1975. Leo worked for the DOT for 16 years and retired in 1988.
The Bargenquasts are members of the congregation at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca and Leo had taught Sunday School classes, served as a Sunday School Superintendent and was a member of the Church Council at Trinity.
Leo enjoyed bowling, hunting, fishing, working with wood, gardening, playing pool and traveling. On 29 May 2020 Leo and LaVonne celebrated their 75th Wedding Anniversary together. Leo was a long-time member of the local American Legion and VFW Posts. In August of 2022, Leo was recognized for 75 years of service as a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Organization by being presented a Quilt of Valor honor. Leo had a remarkable memory and aside from telling many stories he could remember details of incidents which had happened even when he was just a young boy.
Leo passed away on Wednesday, 12 July 2023, at home while on comfort care having attained the age of ninety-eight years, 5 months and 12 days. He is preceded in death by his parents; son Dennis; son-in law Richard Crawley; brothers Otto, Elmer, Frank, Roy and Fritz; sisters Leona, Viola, Ruby and Margret; wife LaVonne and daughter Connie. Left to cherish his memories are his children; daughter Cheryl (Lyle Jr.) Hamrick of LaVista, Nebraska; son Gary (Ruangkaew) Bargenquast of Chiang Rai, Thailand; daughter Linda (Rob) Van Wey of Liverpool, New York; 11 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews, other family and many, many friends.
A Memorial Service (A Celebration of Life) will be held for both Leo and LaVonne Bargenquast on 22 September 2023 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca, IA. A luncheon will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca, Iowa.
When World War II broke out, Leo enlisted in the U.S. Navy on his 17th birthday. He went to Boot Camp in San Diego, CA. After boot camp, he was drafted into the Armed Guard as a Signalman. (The Armed Guard was used to protect merchant ships and consisted of gunners, signalmen and radio operators). Leo spent some 37 months on duty in the South Pacific serving on two tankers, one Dutch troop transport (MS Bloemfontein) and one cargo ship (SS Cape Alava).
Leo met LaVonne Comstock in the late 1930’s when they were both going to school in Kirkman, IA. Years later while Leo was on leave from the Navy, they met again at Paxton Drug Store in Harlan, IA., while they were both waiting for the same bus to go to Omaha. They sat together on the bus going to Omaha. Two weeks later, Leo sent a letter to LaVonne asking her to marry him. They were united into marriage at the Algiers Naval Station in New Orleans (where he was stationed at the time), by the Navy Chaplain and in the presence of over 200 sailors on 29 May 1945. To this union five children were born: Dennis (who was deceased in infancy), Cheryl (1947), Gary (1950), Connie (1952) and Linda (1959).
After Leo was discharged from the Navy in October 1945, they moved to Kirkman, IA and then to Irwin, IA while Leo was working for Purina Feed Store in Irwin. In 1953, Leo was transferred to Van Nostrand Grain Company in Avoca, IA., and the family relocated to a farm outside of Avoca. Leo worked at Van Nostrand Grain Company for 25 years. During this time, Leo served as Avoca’s Scoutmaster (Troop 97) for four years in the mid-1960’s. In 1969 they moved in town to Avoca and have lived there ever since.
In 1972, Leo worked as a Weight Enforcement Officer, first for the Iowa Commerce Commission and then the Iowa Department of Transportation, after the departments were merged in 1975. Leo worked for the DOT for 16 years and retired in 1988.
The Bargenquasts are members of the congregation at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca and Leo had taught Sunday School classes, served as a Sunday School Superintendent and was a member of the Church Council at Trinity.
Leo enjoyed bowling, hunting, fishing, working with wood, gardening, playing pool and traveling. On 29 May 2020 Leo and LaVonne celebrated their 75th Wedding Anniversary together. Leo was a long-time member of the local American Legion and VFW Posts. In August of 2022, Leo was recognized for 75 years of service as a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Organization by being presented a Quilt of Valor honor. Leo had a remarkable memory and aside from telling many stories he could remember details of incidents which had happened even when he was just a young boy.
Leo passed away on Wednesday, 12 July 2023, at home while on comfort care having attained the age of ninety-eight years, 5 months and 12 days. He is preceded in death by his parents; son Dennis; son-in law Richard Crawley; brothers Otto, Elmer, Frank, Roy and Fritz; sisters Leona, Viola, Ruby and Margret; wife LaVonne and daughter Connie. Left to cherish his memories are his children; daughter Cheryl (Lyle Jr.) Hamrick of LaVista, Nebraska; son Gary (Ruangkaew) Bargenquast of Chiang Rai, Thailand; daughter Linda (Rob) Van Wey of Liverpool, New York; 11 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews, other family and many, many friends.
A Memorial Service (A Celebration of Life) will be held for both Leo and LaVonne Bargenquast on 22 September 2023 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca, IA. A luncheon will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca, Iowa.
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