WILLIAM JOSEPH DUENSING Sr.

1925 - 2014

WILLIAM JOSEPH DUENSING SR., DDS William Joseph (Bill) Duensing Sr., DDS, 88, passed away Friday, July 18, 2014, at Sweet Life of Shawnee. Bill, the second of three sons, was born to Gustav Frederick and Margaret (Hagerty) Duensing in Freeman, Mo., on Sept. 20, 1925. After completing elementary and secondary education in Freeman, he attended Central Missouri State University, graduating in 1945. He continued his education at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry, graduating in 1947. He married Mary Jane Baskerville of Appleton City, Mo., on June 14, 1947. After graduation, he briefly practiced dentistry in Poplar Bluff, Mo., then entered the United States Navy as a general dentist, and served as a dental officer aboard the U.S.S. Salerno Bay from 1950-1953. After his naval service, he established his dental practice in North Kansas City in 1953. He retired from the practice in 1987 after 34 years of caring for three generations of patients. Dr. Duensing Sr. earned a reputation for gentle, compassionate care that his patients still remember today. His son, William J. Duensing Jr., and grandson, William M. Duensing, have continued serving the area as Duensing Family Dentistry to the present. Always a strong supporter of Catholic education in the Northland, he served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for St. Pius X High School, and was a member of the St. Pius X Pillars Society. In recognition of his support for the charitable and social works of the Catholic Church, he and his wife were inducted in to the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre. Other civic activities included years of service on the Board of Commissioners of the Kansas City Area Transit Authority developing rapid transit in the greater Kansas City area. He had an active interest in the local banking industry, helping to establish a successful community bank in the Northland. He was also active in The American Royal, Greater Kansas City Dental Association, and the UMKC Dental School Alumni Association. Personally, he was devoted to his family, his work and his church. While computers confounded him, he could take anything apart and repair it with a little bit of duct tape, PVC pipe, glue, or wire. Defending his bird feeder from the neighborhood squirrel squad was an ongoing project. He was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother, Donald Duensing, and granddaughter, Sarah Dean. He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane, brother, David Duensing of Phoenix, Ariz., six children, 15 grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. We will always remember his smile. Service will be Tuesday, July 22, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 1357 NE 42nd Terrace, Kansas city, MO 64116. The Rosary will be at 9:30 a.m. Visitation will continue until 11:15 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Kansas City North. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory are suggested to the St. Pius X High School Scholarship Fund, 1500 NE 42nd Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64116, or to Our Lady of Mercy Country Home, 2115 Maturana Drive, Liberty, MO 64068. Condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com P