Carl was born on Oct. 17, 1919 on a farm near Avon, South Dakota to Walter C. and Nora (Hughes) Bangert. He was the oldest of five children. After he graduated from Avon High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in February 1941 and served with the 147th Field Artillery in the South Pacific during World War II.
Shortly after returning home from his tour of duty, Carl took the position of CountyVeterans Service Officer for Bon Homme County, Tyndall, SD. On Oct. 24, 1944 Carl married the love of his life, Leona Mae Jurrens, also of Avon. He began his career in banking as Assistant Cashier at the Security State Bank in Tyndall on Jan. 1, 1949. In July 1951, Carl and Leona moved to Rapid City where he joined the Rapid City National Bank (now US Bank). In June of l969 they moved to Blue Earth, MN where Carl was elected Executive Vice President of the First National Bank of Blue Earth, MN and shortly after that President of the bank, a position he held until his retirement in March 1983. Following his retirement, Carl and Leona returned to Rapid City. Shortly after the death of Leona, his wife of 63 years on Dec. 24, 2007, Carl moved into Westhills Village where he renewed many old friendships and gained many new ones. One of his final comments was, 'I’ve had a good life.'
Carl was an active member of the community and served numerous positions with the Red Cross, Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce, YMCA, United Fund and Kiwanis Club. As a member of the First Baptist Church of Rapid City, he had served as treasurer and chair of the board and financial chair of the building fund at the time the current church was erected.
Carl is survived by three children and their families-Byron and wife Hayden of Bloomington, IN with sons Andrew and Nathan; Lila Paschke and husband Daniel of Rapid City with son David Munstedt, his wife Julie and their daughter Keira; Charles and wife Michele of Richardson, TX with daughter Kelly. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Carl was preceded in death by his wife, Leona, his two brothers, Warren and Walter Jr. (Bud), and his two sisters, Vera Grasso and Voreta Reinhold.
Leona Bangert, 85, died on Monday, December 24, 2007, at her home in Rapid City.
Leona was born April 25, 1922, to Claus and Clara Jurrens at the farm home of her parents near Avon, SD. She attended Drake Country School through the eighth grade and then graduated from Avon High School in 1939. After high school she attended Southern State Teachers College in Springfield, SD and received her teaching certificate after which she taught at the Sperry School for four years.
Leona married Carl Bangert on October 24, 1944. Carl had just returned from the southwest Pacific after serving four years in the U. S. Army. Together they went to Lawton, OK where Carl was stationed at Ft. Sill for the rest of his army career.
After being discharged from the army, they lived in Tyndall, SD for six years. They then moved to Rapid City. They joined the First Baptist Church where Leona was active in serving as a Sunday School teacher for 17 years. In 1969, they moved to Blue Earth, MN where Carl was president of the First Bank. In 1983 they moved back to Rapid City after Carl retired. While in Blue Earth, Leona was a member of the Salem United Methodist Church and was active in her circle and held various offices in the church.
Survivors include her husband, Carl Bangert, the love of her life, two sons; Byron (Hayden) Bangert of Bloomington, IN. and Charles (Michele) Bangert of Richardson, TX, one daughter; Lila (Daniel) Paschke of Rapid City. Leona is also survived by four grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, and two sisters; Vilas (Willas) Engel of Hemit, CA and Glendol Wirt of Sioux Falls, SD