Coenen, Father Thomas Joseph (1951 - 2020)

COENEN, GROSS, HEISTAND, CLARK

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 4/15/2020 at 20:41:04

Name of deceased: Thomas Joseph Coenen

Aged: 68 yrs, 7 mo, 29 days

Residence: Woodbine, IA

Born: Aug. 9, 1951; Harrison County, IA

Died: April 7, 2020; Rose Vista Nursing Home, Woodbine, Harrison County, IA

Funeral services: Private Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, April 13, 2020; Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Woodbine, IA

Survived by: Mother, Dorothy (nee Gross) Coenen of Woodbine, IA; siblings, Gary Coenen (spouse, Juli) of Woodbine, IA, Mary (spouse, Todd) Heistand of Woodbine, IA, and Jackie (spouse, Scott) Clark of Pisgah, IA; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Father, Henry Coenen; brother, Joe Coenen

Education: Graduated from Woodbine (IA) High School with honors, Class of 1969; he then attended Loras College in Dubuque, IA and graduated with a degree in history and two minors in education and philosophy. Tom felt a calling into the priesthood and was accepted into the Des Moines Diocese, and was sent to the North American College in Rome, Italy for theology. He received his master’s degree in Pastoral Theology at the Dominican University of St. Thomas in Rome. He was ordained on July 8, 1977, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Earling, IA, which was the home parish of his mother.

Religious affiliation: Catholic priest; member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Woodbine, IA

Military service: no information provided

Marriage: n/a

Employment: After his ordination, Father Tom spent 6 months helping a parish without a pastor, and was assigned to a team ministry in the South-Central part of the Diocese. This placement, which lasted 8 years, covered two counties and three parishes, with 2 other priests. In 1985 he was transferred to Dunlap, IA and served at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Again, a team ministry was formed in Harrison County that included four parishes. There were 3 priests, 2 deacon couples and a sister. His next team ministry covered 6 Iowa counties with 3 priests and 2 sisters. Father Tom led the building of a new church and stayed in this placement for 8 years. Next, he was moved to Clarinda, IA with 3 small parishes that he served on his own. Additionally, he served at the mental hospital, state prison and a youth reform center. This placement was also for 8 years. He was then moved closer to home in Shelby County. In 2009 Father Tom took a sabbatical; following that, he helped as a hospital chaplain and in various before retiring in 2018.

Hobbies/Interests: Member of a Jesu Charitas Priest Support group in the Diocese, a group made up of 7 priests and who enjoyed nearly 25 years as a group; enjoyed reading and gardening; loved to travel; attend plays; enjoyed singing and listening to opera. Member of the Lincoln Highway Association, Tran-Mississippi Expo, Genealogy Society, and Lewis and Clark. Mostly he enjoyed spending time with family.

Sources: Foutsfuneralhome.com