PITZEN, John Jerome, Fr. 1918-2004
PITZEN, SIMON
Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 10/25/2013 at 19:08:42
The Rev. John Jerome Pitzen
The Rev. John Jerome Pitzen, 85, of Fairfax, died on Sunday, July 11, 2004, in St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids, after a short illness.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, July 14, at the John XXIII Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. Monsignor James Barta. Burial was in the Visitation Catholic Cemetery, Stacyville.
Father was born on December 3, 1918 in Stacyville, the son of Joseph and Anna Simon Pitzen. He graduated from the 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 February 3, 1945, at the St. Raphael Cathedral. Father'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 the 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.
He is survived by a sister, Agnes Casley of Hillsboro, Oregon; two sisters-in-law, Marian Pitzen of Osage and Charlotte Pitzen of Stacyville; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were four brothers, Gervin, Clem, Al and Sy; and a sister, Marie Montavon.
Memorials may be sent to the John XXIII Church, the Fairfax Fire Department or a charity of your choice.
The Teahen Funeral Home of Cedar Rapids and Walford served the family.
Source: Mitchell County Press
Tombstone Photo on GPP
Mitchell Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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