Rev. Donald D. Weydert 1918-2008

WEYDERT, LIST

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 9/25/2017 at 17:19:34

August 7, 2008 edition of the Dubuque Telegraph Herald

PEOSTA, Iowa -- Rev. Donald D. Weydert, 89, of Stonehill Care Facility, formerly of Delmonico Drive, was called home at 7:10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008, after fulfilling the Master's plan.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Aug. 8, at St. John the Baptist Church, Peosta, with Monsignor James O. Barta officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery, Centralia. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. today at Reiff Funeral Home, Farley, where a Knights of Columbus Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. and a prayer service will be held at 8 p.m.

He was born on Oct. 14, 1918, in Peosta, son of William and Josephine (List) Weydert. He received his early education at St. John the Baptist School and Peosta High School. He attended Loras College and later St. Mary's of the West, in Cincinnati (Norwood).

He was ordained to the priesthood in St. Raphael Cathedral by Archbishop Francis J.L. Beckman on Dec. 18, 1943, and celebrated his first Mass on Dec. 19, 1943, at St. John the Baptist Church, Peosta.

Following his ordination in August, he was appointed associate pastor at St. Francis de Sales, Ossian, from 1944 to 1949. He was named associate pastor at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Cascade, from 1949 to 1955. He served as the athletic director and assumed the coaching role for basketball at both Ossian and Cascade. While in Cascade, he also directed several theatrical plays. He was a member of the Loras College Vested Choir, which presented several programs each year throughout various parishes in the Archdiocese.

He later was appointed pastor and served many parishes throughout the Lord's service. Those parishes included, Sacred Heart Church, Grundy Center, and out mission St. Mary Church, Dike, from 1955 to 1959, St. John's Parish, Andrew, from 1959 to 1963, St. Paul's Parish, Newhall, from 1963 to 1970, St. Martin's Church, Cascade, from 1970 to 1981, St. Patrick's Church, Ryan, from 1981 until his retirement on July 11, 1989.

While serving as pastor at St. John's Catholic Church, Andrew, Father also served on the faculty of Marquette High School, teaching history and religion. He served as moderator of the Cedar Rapids Deanery of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women while at Newhall. He served as a member of the Archdiocesan Priest Council and was a lifetime member of Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, Dubourg Assembly.

During his retirement, he regularly assisted with weekday and Sunday liturgies at St. Mary's Parish, East Dubuque, Ill. Father Don was also a familiar face celebrating Masses at Mercy Medical Center, St. John the Baptist Church, Peosta, and many local area parishes and nursing home facilities throughout the Dubuque area.

Father's constant commitment to his faith was his gift to each of his family members.

Surviving are a brother, Robert of Dubuque; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Helen Weydert; and five brothers, William, Frank, Harold, Elmer and Ralph Weydert.