Rev. William J. MENSTER

MENSTER, KLEIN, IVEY, CLARK, HEIM, FINDLEY

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/8/2010 at 12:28:56

Telegraph Herald -- Dubuque, IA
April 16, 2007

February 10, 1913 -- April 14, 2007

The Rev. William J. Menster, 94, a priest in the Archdiocese of Dubuque, died Saturday, April 14, 2007, at Stonehill Care Center. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Raphael's Cathedral, with the Most Rev. Jerome Hanus, O.S.B. as principal celebrant. Burial will be in St. Martin's Cemetery, Cascade, Iowa, where military rites will be accorded by the Amvets Post 3 and 13 and the American Legion Post 6. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Hoffmann-Schneider Funeral Home, 1640 Main St., and from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

He was born on Feb. 10, 1913, in Cascade, son of Joseph J. and Frances (Klein) Menster. He attended St. Martin's High School in Cascade, Loras College in Dubuque and St. Mary's Seminary in Cincinnati. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 11, 1938. His first assignment, in 1938, was Sacred Heart Parish in Waterloo, Iowa, during which time he joined the Naval Reserves. In 1943, he joined the Chaplains School in Norfolk, Va., subsequently attaining the rank of Lt. Commander. He served as the only chaplain of a five-ship fleet during "Operation High Jump" which covered virtually all the continental coasts. In 1947, he spent two years at St. Mary's Parish in Corwith, Iowa. From 1948 to 1958, he was Director of Catholic Charities serving 30 counties in Northeast Iowa. From 1947 to 1997, he served as Chaplain on some 25 cruise ships. In 1958, he was pastor of three parishes, St. Patrick's, Monona, St. Mary's, Waverly, and St. John's, Clarion. In 1978, he became pastor of St. Donatus (Iowa) Parish, and along with his pastoral duties Father celebrated Mass at numerous nursing homes. He also shared his love of music, playing the piano, organ and guitar for the residents.

In 1949, Father published the book "Strong Men South" based on his arctic expedition in 1946 and 1947. He and his father were granted a private audience with Pope Pius XII in 1950 and in 1955 he served in an advisory capacity during the MGM filming of the movie "Ice Cathedral."

"The highlight of my life was the celebration of Mass at and blessing the Antarctic Continent," said Father Menster.

Father was a member of the Navy League, American Legion Post 6, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Chaplain's Association, Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus Council 510 and Catholic Daughters of America for many years, and a lifetime member of the Amvets serving at local, state and national levels.

Surviving are his twin brother, Joseph (Leona) Menster, of Cascade; a brother, Donald (Georgette) Menster, of Davenport, Iowa; three sisters, Mary (Tom) Ivey, of Largo, Fla., Barbara (Richard) Clark, of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Betty (Louis) Heim, of Seattle, Wash..; 31 nieces and nephews; and a good friend in retirement years, Garlind Findley, of Dubuque. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, David "Chick" Menster, Francis "Berky" Menster, Earl Menster and Ed Menster; three sisters, Helen (Donovan) Menster, Sister Mary Jean Evelyn Menster BVM, and Rita (Reding) Menster; and two nephews, Butch Menster and Steve Menster.