Reverend Joseph L. Keefe
Wednesday, July 17, 1946
Date of Death:
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Age:
65 years old
Visitation
Date: Friday March 16, 2012
Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Prayer Service: 7:00 pm
Location: Pax Christi Catholic Church [ view map ]
Second Visitation
Date: Saturday March 17, 2012
Time: 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Location: Pax Christi Catholic Church [ view map ]
Funeral Mass
Date: Saturday March 17, 2012
Time: 10:30 am
Location: Pax Christi Catholic Church [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Calvary Cemetery [ view map ]
Wednesday, July 17, 1946
Date of Death:
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Age:
65 years old
Wednesday, July 17, 1946
Date of Death:
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Age:
65 years old
Reverend Joseph L. Keefe
The funeral Mass for Reverend Joseph L. Keefe will be at 10:30M, Saturday, March 17, 2012 at Pax Christi Catholic Church in Rochester with Bishop John Quinn officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00PM – 8:00PM with a 7:00PM Vigil on Friday, March 16, 2012 at Pax Christi Catholic Church and one hour prior to the Mass on Saturday. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester.
Rev. Keefe, 65, passed away on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 from a lengthy illness at his home.
Rev. Joseph Lloyd Keefe, the youngest in a family with two older brothers and two older sisters, was born July 17, 1946, in Caledonia, MN, to F. Lloyd and Vernice (Corcoran) Keefe. He attended Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, MN from 1964 to 1968. His theological studies were completed at Gregorian University in Rome, from 1968 to 1972, and he was ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood on December 17, 1971 at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City by the Most Rev. James Hickey, Rector of the North American College.
Father Keefe’s first assignment was as Parochial Vicar for Queen of Angels, in Austin, MN as well as an instructor for Pacelli High School in Austin. He then served as Chaplain for Saint Mary’s Hospital, Rochester; Chaplain for Methodist Hospital, Rochester; Chaplain for the Sisters of Saint Francis of Assisi, Rochester; Parochial Vicar for Saints Stanislaus Parish and Saint John Parish, Winona; Pastor for Saint Joseph Parish, Rushford, Saint Mary Parish, Houston, and Immaculate Conception Parish, Wilson; Pastor for Saint Mary Parish, Winona; Pastor for Pax Christi Parish, Rochester, and Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Mazeppa. During his years of ministry in conjunction with Sisters of St. Francis of Rochester, Father Keefe became a cojourner in Franciscan Way of Life.
In addition to the above assignments, Father Keefe served as the Diocesan Liaison to Charismatic Prayer Groups for two years; Dean of the Winona Deanery for three years; Cotter High School and Cotter Schools, Inc. Board of Directors; Presbyteral Council for ten years; College of Consultors for twelve years; and Diocesan Review Board. He has been chaplain for Teams of Our Lady since 1977.
Father Keefe retired from active ministry in 2011, due to illness. He is survived by brother David Keefe of Mokena, IL, and two sisters, Sharon Ormsby of rural Winona and Sister Patricia Keefe, OSF of rural Cambridge, MN. One brother, F. Don Keefe, predeceased Fr. Keefe. Survivors include seven nieces and nephews, Kevin (Brenda) Keefe and Michael (Sarah) Keefe and Katherine (John) Noone, Mary Pat (andy) Wallace, Dan (Claudia) and Dave R. (Nikki) Keefe, Peter (Angie) Ormsby and Rebecca (Michael) Charles and 15 great nieces and nephews.
Donations rather than plants or flowers may be made to Catholic Relief Services, Mayo Hospice Program or the St. Marys Poverello Fund.
Condolences
The family of Reverend Joseph L. Keefe has received the following condolences.
Father Joe is the priest I grew up with at Saint Mary's Parish in Winona. He is the Priest that is responsible for me falling in love with and keeping my Catholic faith. He will be in my prayers for the rest of my life. My condolences, thoughts and prayers are with Father Joe's family. I am grateful for Father Joe's life and that he answered the call to be a Priest. His life was truly a gift from God and he will be missed.
My condolences to the Keefe family on the passing of Father Joe. Father Joe was instrumental in my life in bringing me back to the Catholic Church after a very long absence. He helped me prepare for marriage and never passed judgement that I had been married before. He was kind to everyone. He will be missed.
It is so hard to believe that Joe is gone. I worked with him many years as a chaplain at St. Mary's Hospital. He was a wonderful guy. I also had him for a CPE supervisor at St. Mary's. I then moved back to MI and kind of lost touch with him. Spiritually, he helped me so much. He was truly a man of God. I will have a Mass offered for him.
Daniel J. Kelly
RIP Father Joe. Thank you for all your wonderful services and administering the sacraments to my family.
Father Joe guided me through the RCIA path to confirmation two years ago. He was a real inspriration during this long and not easy process. We will never forget his passion for God and his great sense of humor. Heaven's gain is our loss.
I'm so sorry to hear of Fr. Joe's death. I first met Fr. Joe through Beginning Experience many years ago and through CPE at St. Mary's Hospital and, in the past few years, as pastor of Pax Christi. He was a wonderful, caring man - so full of life and love. May he be at peace and filled with joy.
Heaven is rejoicing as Father Joe becomes one of the angels in paradise and enjoys his eternal reward. Meeting Father Joe in 1977 as a "rookie" priest on our Marriage Encounter team was the beginning of a close and genuine friendship. Father Joe has been with us through many highs and lows in our lives. He's supported and loved us and our family. Renewing our vows on our 25th anniversary Father Joe was there. Marrying our son and daughter-in-law in WI, Father Joe was there. Grieving the death of my brother, Father Joe was there. He touched our hearts and was the living Jesus to us many, many times. We are so blessed to have had him in our lives. We will miss him! Our deepest sympathy to Father Joe's family. Peace be with you all,
Ken and Sandy Wagner
Oh, Heaven is rejoicing on Fr. Keefe's arrival. He was wonderful to the entire family. My daughter would run up to him to give him a hug. :) Both daughters received three sacraments from him... Baptism, Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. His positive outlook on life gave us all courage and hope with his illness. He accepted God's suffering nobelly. Rest in God's peace. Thanks to his family who helped shape him into a wonderful person. Terri Kersting and family
Fr. Joe was a great pastor. He will be sorely missed.
MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE KEEFE. I AM IN LAKELAND FLORIDA UNTIL APRIL, SO I AM UNABLE TO ATTEND FUNERAL SERVICES.
FR. JOE AND I ATTENDED LORETTO HIGH TOGETHER. WE WERE IN THE SAME GRADE AND I HAVE MANY FOND MEMORIES OF HIM. OUR FAMILIES WERE VERY CLOSE AND WHEN WE WERE YOUNG, THE FAMILIES WENT TO EACH OTHERS HOMES TO VISIT, USUALLY ON SATURDAY EVENINGS OR SUNDAY AFTERNOONS. FR JOE WAS ALWAYS AT THE HEAD OF THE CLASS AT LORETTO. HE WILL BE MISSED BY SO MANY PEOPLE.
FONDLY
KATHY SCANLAN GILLIS
To the family of Fr. Joe
I had he privelege of serving briefly with Fr. Joe at Pax Christi parish in the last months of his time there. His courage in the face of ill health and his desire to serve as long as possible was inspiring. I had the privelege of meeting Dave and other of you when you visited.
Due to pastoral obligations in Jackson, Mn cluster of parishes I'm not able to attend but wanted you to know that I do raise up Joe in prayer, along with his family, combined with a prayer of gratitude that our paths crossed even though only briefly.
Peace,
Fr. Jim Von Tobel, S.J.
We met Fr Joe when he lived in the Silo. He had such a holy and gentel way about him. You could tell he was trying to be Christ to others. He was a very special person whom we have been priveleged to know.
I knew Fr Joe through his uncle, Fr Dan Corcoran, during my Winona State days in the late 80's. I remember he had the most compassionate eyes. I saw the face of Jesus when I looked into them. What a loving presence he was to so many.
Prayers and condolences the Keefe family. I was a classmate of Joe at Kelly Hall years ago, a couple of years ahead of him. I have wonderful memories of Joe from that time belaieve he was wonderful in his ministry, he is missed and loved by many of us who knew him. From the obituary it looks as if he was a wonderful gift to the Sisters of St. Francis. Patrick O'Leary.
How blessed to have known such a genuinely gentle man who not only shared the Gospel, he lived it! He taught by example how to give grace and gracefully receive that which was given to him. A reflective listener whose kind eyes and often quiet words left one knowing they were both loved and prayed for no matter what.
Fr. Joe is deeply missed and all of us know there is quite a celebration in heaven as he is welcomed there. I picture him
laughing with Jesus, holding babies and walking through the parks of paradise with the sunshine from his face glowing with the saints around him.
Our heartfelt and sincere sympathies to Dave, Sharon, Sister Pat and the entire family. Our families go back to Joe's childhood on Jefferson Ridge near Caledonia. I remember a curly haired, freckled faced boy riding the school bus. We have been fortunate to know this true servant of the Lord who has dedicated his life to serving others. Praise God that he is at peace after his lengthy illness.
Joe and I were fellow students and friends when we both studied at the Gregorian University in Rome. We reconnected again when I returned from missionary work in Papua New Guinea, and most recently in January 2011, when we talked for a long time about his illness and the likelihood of death within a year or two. Joe's faith and hope were simply astounding, deeply inspirational. He was one of the most authentic men I've ever known. His parishioners were blessed by God to have had him as their pastor. My condolences to his family and friends.
Bill Burrows, Cortlandt Manor, NY
I would like to extend my sympathy to the family of Fr. Keefe. I knew him when he worked at Queen of Angels church many years ago. He was a very kind man.
Father Joe was an important figure in my high years in Austin. Though my dad was a local protestant pastor I found a comfortable home with the youth group which Father Joe was leader of.
Lots of great memories, body shaking laughter and a lifetime of lessons to remember. Father Joe was confident, loving, acceptable, considerate and very, very caring.
Father Joe will always be as close as a memory, hugable in our hearts and watching over us in his spirit.
God Bless Father Joe as he blessed so many of us.
Father Joe was an important figure in my high years in Austin. Though my dad was a local protestant pastor I found a comfortable home with the youth group which Father Joe was leader of.
Lots of great memories, body shaking laughter and a lifetime of lessons to remember. Father Joe was confident, loving, acceptable, considerate and very, very caring.
Father Joe will always be as close as a memory, hugable in our hearts and watching over us in his spirit.
God Bless Father Joe as he blessed so many of us.
Father Joe was a "Big Brother" to my son, Greg Austin, through the YMCA Big Brother program in the late 70's. What a wonderful person and role model! He and my son shared so many special times, and he treated the rest of the family like his own family. We did lose touch with him over the years, but he was never forgotten. And I'm so proud of the man my son became in part because of Father Joe's influence. I know he's in a better place.
I first met Fr. Joe when we both started our education at the Seminary in Winona, MN. We graduated in 1968 and he continued on to the priesthood. Fr. Joe was a great classmate and friend. After he was ordained, we saw him a couple of times in Rochester, unfortunately not often enough. Fr. Joe is missed and heaven just became a better place. Rest in Peace Joe and may God bless.
Our family will truly miss Fr. Joe. He was one of my daughter's favorite people. He was so kind and gentle with the children, and you could tell he truly loved sharing Christ with them and watching them learn and embrace Him. God has gained a very special angel, and we will remember him always!
We met Father Joe through our daughter and family, Kelly and Conrad Josko, who attend Pax Christi in Rochester. He has made a lasting impact on all our lives and we are all blessed at having known him and spent time in his presence. Blessed be his memory.