William A. “Bill” Kongs, 89, of Manhattan, Kansas, formerly of Wetmore, died late Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at Stoneybrook Assisted Living facility in Manhattan.

Bill was born on October 11, 1923 on a farm northwest of Goff, Kansas, the son of William A. and Sophia Novak Kongs. He graduated from St. Bede’s School, in Kelly in 1942.

On February 11, 1947, he married Edith M. Osterhaus at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. They lived and farmed south of Seneca and south of Wetmore from 1947 till 1994. Bill was a farmer and a stockman all his life. Bill and Edith lived in Wetmore before moving to Stoneybrook Assisted Living in Manhattan.

Bill was a member of St. James Catholic Church in Wetmore and served on the church committee. He was a member of the Wetmore Lions Club as well as a charter member of the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed farming and had a passion for fishing when he had the time. He also took pride in maintaining the church and its grounds.

Bill is survived by his wife of 65 years, Edith of Manhattan; four daughters Diane (Fred) DeNoon of Manhattan, Kathy (Chris) Callaway and Beverley Fowler, both of Scottsdale, Arizona and Nancy (Joe) Rottinghaus of Hutchison; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The grandchildren and great-grandchildren are Nicole DeNoon (Kaden and Kenzie) of Garden City, Kansas; Lindsey and Matt Dewell (Gavin) of Olathe, Kansas; Amy Callaway of Cedar Park, Texas; LeaAnn Callaway of Santa Monica, California; Ashley Fowler of Playa Vista, California and Kylie Fowler of Dallas, Texas; Kristen Rottinghaus, of Lawrence, Kansas; Tyler and April Rottinghaus of McKinney, Texas; and Stacy Rottinghaus of Hutchinson, Kansas.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Albert Kongs and Sylvester Kongs; a sister Philomena Winkler; and a son-in-law, Fred DeNoon.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Saturday, January 19, at St. James Catholic Church in Wetmore, Kansas. A rosary will be prayed at 2 PM Friday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca, Kansas. Burial will be in St. Bede’s Catholic Cemetery in Kelly, Kansas.

Memorials may be given for Stoneybrook Assisted Living, and sent in care of the family.