OBITUARY: Rev. John Jerome Pitzen, 1918-2004, Mitchell Co., Iowa

[Based on obituary in Mitchell County Press-News online; July 21, 2004]
                     



                      The Rev. John Jerome Pitzen            

Funeral services for The Rev. John Jerome Pitzen, were held Wednesday,
July 14, 2004 at John XXIII Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, by
the Rev. Monsignor James Barta. Burial was in Visitation Catholic
Cemetery, Stacyville.  The Rev. John Jerome Pitzen, 85, of Fairfax,
died Sunday, July 11, 2004, in St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids,
after a short illness.

Preceding him in death were four brothers, Gervin, Clem, Al and Sy, and
a sister, Marie Montavon.

He is survived by a sister, Agnes Casley of Hillsboro, Oregon, and
two sisters-in-law, Marian Pitzen of Osage and Charlotte Pitzen of
Stacyville and numerous nieces and nephews.

Father Pitzen was born Dec. 3, 1918 in Stacyville, the son of Joseph
and Anna Simon Pitzen. He graduated from Visitation Grade and High
School, Loras College, class of 1941, and the Theological College of
the Catholic University of America in 1945. Archbishop Henry P.
Rohlman ordained him a priest on Feb. 3, 1945, at St. Raphael Cathedral.

Father Pitzen's parish assignments included St. Francis Xavier,
Dyersville, from 1945 to 1948, Loras Academy from 1948 to 1956, and
Loras College from 1956 to 1970. He served as chaplain at St. Joseph
Sanitarium, Dubuque, from 1950 to 1953, as Dean of St. Pius X Seminary
from 1956 to 1959 and as spiritual director for Lay Students from 1959
to 1970. He was the Archdiocesan Director of Rural Life from 1972 to
1982 and served as chaplain of the Fairfax L.A. Club.

Father was appointed as pastor to Immaculate Conception Church,
Van Horne, from 1970 to 1974, St. Athanasius Church, Jesup, from
1974 to 1985, St. Patrick Church, Fairfax, from 1985 to 1993. He
retired in Fairfax in 1993.

Teahen Funeral Home of Cedar Rapids and Walford served the family.


     Copyright 2004, K. L. Kittleson