Msgr. Lilly dies at 99

November 6, 2003

Monsignor Edward C. Lilly, 99, died Oct. 30, 2003, at his home in Holy Spirit Assisted Living Apartments.

The Mass of the Resurrection was said Tuesday at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church with the Most Rev. Daniel N. DiNardo, Bishop of Sioux City celebrating. The Most Rev. Lawrence D. Soens, retired Bishop of Sioux City, the Rev. Msgr. Richard E. Zenk, the Rev. Gary B. Snyder, pastor of St. Joseph Parish, the Rev. Roger J. Linnan and other priests of the Diocese of Sioux City will celebrate. Graveside services were Tuesday in St. Columbkille Cemetery in Varina, Iowa. Visitation were 2-4 p.m. on Monday at Larkin Northside Funeral Home. Visitation were resumed Monday with a parish vigil service at 7 p.m. at the church. An honor guard by the 4th Degree Knight of Columbus will be held for the evening services.

Msgr. Lilly was born on Oct. 25, 1904 in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the son of Thomas A. and Margaret E. (Fitzgerald) Lilly. He was raised in Varina, Iowa and attended grade school and his first year of high school at St. Columbkille School in Varina. He graduated St. Mary's Academy in Emmetsburg, Iowa. He graduated Loras College, the Sulpician Seminary and Catholic University in Washington, D.C.

He was ordained a priest in the Diocese of Sioux City on May 25, 1929 in the Cathedral of the Epiphany by the Most Rev. Edmond Heelan, Bishop of Sioux City. He served as assistant pastor at Corpus Christi Parish in Fort Dodge, Iowa from 1929 to 1935. He was then the pastor of St. John's Parish in Ogden, Iowa from 1935 to 1942 and served for 37 years. He retired on Aug. 1, 1979.

Msgr. Lilly is survived by his cousins.