Memorial services for Leonard Arthur Mangold, 84 were held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bennington, with the Rev. Dr. Norman Schroeder officiating, on September 18, at 2 p.m.

Mangold died September 15, 1986 while a patient at the Immanuel Medical center in Omaha at the age of 84 years, 11 months and five days.

Vocalist was Joyce Johnson and organist was Miriam Sukraw. Dr. Jack Rogers gave a living tribute and Matthew and John Rogers, grandchildren, read the scripture lessons.

Interment was held preceding the memorial services on the same day at 11 a.m. at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Honorary casket bearers were Jeffrey Stephen and Joel Mangold; John, Matthew and Toby Rogers; and Stephen Sass.

Hadan Golden Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Mangold was born in Bennington on October 10, 1901, one of three children of George and Pauline Mangold. His sister, Irene Holling, lives in Omaha and Rancho Bernardo, California. His brother, Walter, preceded him in death.

He was the oldest living person who was born and lived all of his life in Bennington. He was baptized December 8, 1901, and confirmed April 1, 1917 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bennington.

His education began in the Bennington grade school through tenth grade. He completed high school in 1920 at Omaha Central, where he captained the basketball team. Always interested in sports, he played first base on the Bennington baseball team through high school and college. He graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1927 and returned to Bennington to manage the family store. He and Gretchen Meyer were married June 28, 1930. Three children were born to this union: Marilyn, Sharon and Stephen.

Mangold found time for many activities in his community, including serving on the school board, Red Cross, Luther League, St. John’s Lutheran Church Council and Brotherhood, Boy Scouts and political elections. He served as both assistant postmaster and postmaster of the Bennington Post Office. He and his wife since retirement in 1967 traveled extensively.

He was president of Goodfellowship Club of Omaha, a faithful member of Square and Compass, and secretary of High Twelve. He belonged to the John Bowen Lodge, Kennard No. 210; Tangier Shrine Lodge 32; and Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite 33. His nine grandchildren are Stephen Sass; Jeffrey and Joel Mangold; Matthew, John and Timothy (Toby) Rogers Stephen, Sarah and Rachel Mangold. Great-grandchildren are Ashley and Joel II.