Father Leonard Loegering
March 2, 1947 ~ November 18, 2015
Father Leonard Joseph Loegering, age 68, died November 18, 2015 in Fargo, ND. He was supported in his death journey by his family, fellow priests, parishioners, and friends.
Leonard Loegering left home at an early age to pursue a calling to the priesthood. In his Deacon paper (1973) he wrote, “I see priesthood as a gift that is given to me by God for my own good as well as that of the entire body of Christ.” He also wrote, “Jesus is Life. He has set us free to be human. We need to learn to love to be what we are.“ Whether golfing, fishing, traveling, or sharing happy or sad times many who knew Fr. Len say that they were in the presence of Jesus himself. Len gave life to others because of His love.
Fr. Leonard Loegering served twelve communities in the Fargo Diocese during his forty-two years as priest. (Holy Spirit in Fargo, Grafton, Langdon, Wales, Mt. Carmel, Pisek, Conway, Lankin, Holy Family in Grand Forks, Wyndmere, Kindred, and Milnor) Fr. Len served all who came to him. He did not see himself as a “high priest” to be served with awe. Rather, all who know him view him as a friend, confidant, and as family. He could take any ordinary occurrence, something from nature, or even a kidney transplant, and turn it into something meaningful with a spiritual or special message.
Father Len loved and appreciated his family. While in college he wrote the following to his mother, “Home is a Heart pumping forth Life! So, Rich or Poor, I don’t care, but only that you have cared!” Fr. Len lived by those words not caring if someone was rich or poor. He saw himself as a Shepherd “called” to serve. He lived the life of a shepherd caring more for his flock than himself. He was a listener. He heard things that were not spoken. He was fair and a problem solver. He offered prayers, support, and advice (if asked). He gave everyone a chance--unless he was playing pinochle!
Leonard Loegering was born March 2, 1947 in Britton, SD to Herman and Mary Loegering. Leonard graduated from St. Mary’s Grade School, Fargo. He earned his high school, college and post graduate degrees from Collegeville, MN. Len was ordained to the priesthood June 10, 1973 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Fargo, ND.
Father Loegering is survived by his brothers and sisters: Jerome, Theresa (Richard) Lothspeich, Rosella Jangula, Florence (Gary) Wegan, Sylvan (Marge), George (Marilyn), Dennis (Carol), Annette Bruns, Angela Olson, Julia Tschider, Paul (Barb), his sister-in-law Anna Loegering and brother-in-law Al Mikesh. Many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews survive him, as well. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Donald, sister Agnes Mikesh and brother’s in-law Jerry Bruns and Gordon Tschider.
Visitation will be Sunday November 22 from 5-7 PM, with a prayer service at 7 PM at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fargo. Visitation will continue Monday, Nov. 23 from 9-10 a.m. followed by the funeral Mass at 10 AM at St. Mary‘s Cathedral. Burial will be in Wyndmere, N.D. Arrangements by Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center in Fargo.
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Thank you Fr. for your yes to your priestly vocation and being open to God’s will in your service to God’s people. There are more people who have heard about Jesus because of you words and actions. Over and over again when people hear my last name they ask if we are related and how you have touched their lives. Know that our family will continue to pray for you and your intentions. My God bless you as you blessed us with your life.
All Our Love,
Steve, Ronda, Hanna, David, Grace, Emily, and Michael Loegering
May Fr. Len have eternal peace and joy with our loving God. He served the Church and the people of the Fargo Diocese as a faithful servant of the Lord and touched the lives of many in his ministry.
My grandmother, Florence Peterka, simply adored Father Len when he was here in Pisek! She was heartsick when he was moved to another parish! A wonderful asset to the Catholic Church he was!
Friend and confidant!
A good man and a good priest has gone home to the God he so faithfully served. My prayers and sympathy are with his family.
Fr. was a fisherman extraordinaire, and a fisher of men in the same way. He was tactful, obedient, faithful, forgiving, sensitive to problems, and a friend to all the souls he served. May God richly reward him for his efforts of love in this world. He will certainly be remembered fondly by a multitude of people. Rest in peace!
Such a kind & brilliant man who always had the “right” words…he married us 25 yrs ago….I will never forget what he said to me while dancing with me @ my wedding. Forever rest in peace…
Fr.Len married my husband & I back in 2000 at Holy Family – by our specific request. He truely gave us non-judgemental, life advice as we started our marriage journey. He helped my mother turn catholic and be a better cathloic then a lot I know born into the faith. He helped her through her many medical struggles both mentally and emotionally without judgement. He always had a smile and a big heart. The cathloic community will surely miss him as a preist and a friend. Rest in Peace Fr.Len.
Mark & Toni (Thomas) Wosick
I first met Fr. Len when he became our priest at St. Mark’s in Conway. He was a wonderful priest and friend. He shared many meals with my parents. I think Mom thought of him like another son. He will be missed. Rest in Peace, Fr. Len.
I was very sad to hear of Fr. Len’s passing. I was blessed beyond measure to know him and call him my friend. I will miss our talks. Blessed be the memory of Fr. Len.
Fr. Len was my friend and spiritual companion for 42 years. For me and for all the people who were entrusted to his care, he was Shepherd and Healer.
“For the Lord God says this: Look, I myself shall take care of my flock and look after it.
As a shepherd looks after his flock when he is with his scattered sheep, so shall I look after my sheep. I shall rescue them from wherever they have been scattered on the day of clouds and darkness.
I shall bring them back from the peoples where they are; I shall gather them back from the countries and bring them back to their own land. I shall pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the inhabited parts of the country.
I shall feed them in good pasturage; the highest mountains of Israel will be their grazing ground. There they will rest in good grazing grounds; they will browse in rich pastures on the mountains of Israel.
I myself shall pasture my sheep, I myself shall give them rest — declares the Lord God..
I shall look for the lost one, bring back the stray, bandage the injured and make the sick strong. I shall watch over the fat and healthy. I shall be a true shepherd to them.”
Ezekiel 34:11-16
Blessed be his memory. We are grateful for his presence in our lives.
Fr. Len. Man of faith and compassion. I thank God for the time spent with His faithful servant. Fr. Len will always be the priest who took kids fishing. He took my class fishing for many years, taught them how to clean the fish and cooked it the following day in the school parking lot. He listened with his heart. I am so grateful for the lessons I have learned from this most gentle man. Fr. Len, I love you and will miss you. Rest in peace.
It is with a sad heart that I read of Father Len’s passing. He was such a “teacher” in God’s Faith and opened many hearts to a fuller life in Christ. I remember one sermon, around Easter, when he told us to think of God as our “Daddy”; that opened up a whole new way of thinking for me. Another Easter season he had us drop nails in a tin pail, symbolizing our part in Christ’s death…. what a profound impression hearing those nails drop in the bucket was!
He also loved to laugh and have a good time, whether fishing, water witching, joking with friends or preaching; he was active in all our lives. He was a good friend and we cherish the memories.
Thank you to his earthly family for all the years you shared him with us – our deepest sympathies go out to you.
Fr. Len was a phenomenal example of quiet faith. The Laffens are blessed to have Fr. Len touch their lives. May he rest in peace.
Father Len was an important part of my life when I needed him to be. Linda and I will always be thankful for his love, kindness and support!
We were parishioners in three parishes in which Fr Len served as pastor at the time…St Johns in Grafton, Holy Family in Grand Forks and St Johns in Pisek. He was always with a joyful spirit reflecting his faith. What a great example of what it means to be a “soldier for God” We are better off for having met and known him over the years…May he rest in the peace of the Risen Lord.
I am sadden to read of Father Len’s passing, He was the one I bared my heart to at the death of my son. He helped me through the worst time of my life with his compassion and understanding . I will forever be thankful to him . Our loss is heavens gain
As we approach this Thanksgiving week I think back on times with Fr. Len. On more than one occasion
while either on our way or while we were out fishing we would discuss how much we had to be thankful for.
Our treasures were endless and most were not possessions in our hands. Once we were on the water and darkness fell upon us we would hope the other one would drive. That gave us a chance to lean our head back and marvel at the stars and the peace of the night. We would have long conversations on anything and everything and once in a while we even caught a fish!!
We had this practice of a little wager on each fish. It was only a quarter but inside it meant a whole lot more.
After the years I don’t know for sure who was ahead but I think Fr. Len held a small lead. But just in case he runs a little short on his future fishing trips I will be sending a quarter out of my bottle with him.
In the words of a fisherman “FR. LEN WAS A REAL KEEPER” and I will miss him deeply on future trips but he will always have a reserved seat in my boat. Thanks for all the memories and God Bless
It is with a heavy heart to hear of Fr. Len’s passing. He was such a model of humility and kindness. His faith in Jesus Christ’ unfailing in his living of life. He truly was the hands and feet of Jesus; a servants heart. We rejoice in knowing he now lives in eternal splendor with the greatest of Love as was promised to us all! Our deepest sympathy to his family and friends. May he rest in peace.
Father Len was the Priest just as I was starting back with my faith. I found him comforting and enjoyable to be around. He helped me learn my faith without being all “preachy”. He was a great man and I missed him immensely when he was transferred. I am sure he is in a much better place. My sympathies to his family.
I have found that God puts people in your path of life for a reason. God blessed me by putting my wife in my path and soon after he put Fr. Len in my path as well. I had not been to Church for years and everything came together at one time to bring me back. Fr. Len made the conversion from Lutheran to the Catholic religion very inviting and allowed it to happen naturally. I will never forget the time when our assignment was to “draw a picture of God”. There were many blank faces when he said what we had to do, but many wonderful pictures when the evening was complete. I will always be able to hear his voice in my head, the calm, confident, caring voice that he had. In my mind, you have been part of my picture of God and am so happy that you are now experiencing the blessings and joy that comes with being called home by Christ. Not only were you a Priest, but you were a friend. I hope to see you again someday.
What a beautiful extraordinary Priest. Sure wish we had more like him. I met Fr. Len at Gary Jenson’s house in Milnor and what an inspiration. God truly lived in him and through him. I am so sorry of your loss. May the angels carry this saint into heaven.
I’m sorry for the loss for anyone that was close to Mr. Leonard Loegering. I personally don’t know him but by reading his obituary, I’ve noticed that he is a person of principle. The world needs more people like that these days. As a spiritual person that he was, I would like to share with everyone some words of condolences from God’s good book. In Eccleciastes 9:5-6 says “For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing at all, nor do they have any more reward, because all memory of them is forgotten. Also, their love and their hate and their jealousy have already perished, and they no longer have any share in what is done under the sun. The 2nd text is Juan 5:28-29 quotes “Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out”. The 3rd text of condolences appears in Psalms 37:29 says “The righteous will possess the earth, And they will live forever on it.” Last text is Revelation 21:4 states “And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” So if you combine these text, it talks about a resurection and where the dead people will rised from. In other words, in the near future Mr. Loegering will here the voice, the voice of all voice, will rise in resurection from his earthly tomb not in this stressful world but in paradise, Where all the of the bad things have been left behind. Where Mr. Loegering will live eternity in paradise on earth. What words of condolences Jehova provides us!!! If anyone would like to continue this conversation or have any other question, please feel free in contacting me at symmeskh@gmail.com