David Loren Bongartz, age 75, of WaKeeney, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Hays Medical Center. He was born May 4, 1950, in Ellis, Kansas, to Frank and Cecelia (Jacobs) Bongartz.

David grew up in rural Trego County, where he spent his youth working on the family farm. He helped care for livestock, maintained and repaired farm tools and equipment, and learned to operate machinery at an early age. He later moved to WaKeeney, where he owned and operated Dave's Tavern for several years.

David's work life took him across much of western Kansas. He worked as a plumber's apprentice for Coast-to-Coast in Garden City before relocating to Syracuse, Kansas, where he established his own plumbing business. He later returned to Garden City and was employed for many years in the Maintenance Department at Iowa Beef Products (IBP). His travels eventually took him south toward the Texas border, where he delivered pallet equipment throughout much of the central United States. David ultimately returned to WaKeeney, enjoying semi-retirement while doing light lawn maintenance work until fully retiring.

In his free time, David enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, playing cards, assembling puzzles, gambling, watching old westerns, and sharing stories. A true dreamer, he loved to tinker and invent, even submitting a patent application for one of his designs. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and belonged to the Ulysses chapter. In recent years, David could often be found at the Trego County Senior Center, visiting with friends and working on puzzles, or sitting on his front porch, visiting with neighbors. Known for his happy-go-lucky smile and playful sense of humor, David was a jokester who always made time to visit with anyone he met.

David is survived by six sisters, Janette Shantz, of Wichita, Kansas; Joanne Mays, of Tucumcari, New Mexico; Norma Plymell (Larry), of Hays, Kansas; Lynda Wallace, of Hays, Kansas; Susan Ketchum, of Moore, Oklahoma; and Kandice Michel (Steve), of Garden City, Kansas; thirteen nieces and nephews; and numerous great-nieces, great-nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Cecelia Bongartz; three brothers, James Bongartz, Raymond Bongartz, and infant brother, Gary Bongartz; and one nephew.

Knights of Columbus Rosary will be prayed Friday, January 30, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., at Christ the King Catholic Church, 412 N. 9th Street, WaKeeney, Kansas.
A Memorial Mass will follow the Rosary at 10:30 a.m., with Father James Alaya celebrating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Trego County Senior Center and sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N. 12th Street, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

Since David chose cremation, a private family gathering will be held at a later date to scatter his ashes at a place special to him.

To share memories or leave condolences, please visit www.schmittfuneral.com.

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