Monday, April 9th, 2012
Rev. Leonard Goettemoeller
The Rev. Leonard H. Goettemoeller, C.PP.S., 88, Carthagena, died April 4, 2012, at St. Charles Center.
He was born June 1, 1923, in St. Henry to Gregor and Mary Kramer Goettemoeller.
Surviving are three siblings, Mildred Wuebker, St. Henry, Wilma Link, Fort Recovery, and Ivo (Esther) Goettemoeller, St. Henry; a sister-in-law, Verena Goettemoeller, Rockford; and a brother-in-law, George Minnich, Portland, Ind.
Deceased are eight siblings and in-laws, Harold and Dolores Goettemoeller, Alvin Goettemoeller, Edna and Norb Kremer, Marie Minnich, Ray Wuebker and Lawrence Link.
He attended grade school in St. Henry and entered Brunnerdale Seminary High School, Canton, in 1938. He graduated from St. Joseph College, Rensselaer, Ind., in 1943 and began theology studies at St. Charles Seminary. On March 25, 1949, he was ordained to the priesthood. He earned a master of arts in library science from Dominican University (then Rosary College) in Illinois in 1950.
His first full-time appointment was as instructor and librarian at Brunnerdale Seminary. In 1957, he returned to St. Charles Seminary as librarian. He also served in Kalida; Liberty, Mo.; Mequon, Wis.; Wichita, Kan.; Holly, Colo.; and Bristol, Colo.
His last pastorate was at St. Mary Magdalen Parish, Bloomfield, Iowa, from 1985 to 1997, after which he retired to Precious Blood Center, Liberty, Mo. He moved to St. Charles Center in 2006.
A Mass of Christian Burial is 2 p.m. Wednesday at St. Charles Center, the Rev. Joe Nassal officiating. Burial will follow in the community cemetery.
Calling is 1-5 p.m. Tuesday at St. Charles Center. A vigil will be held at 7 p.m. with visitation then continuing until 9 p.m.
Arrangements are by Hogenkamp Funeral Home, St. Henry.
