Father Fitzgerald dies at age 44

Posted March 13, 2008

Father Timothy Fitzgerald, 44, died March 11 at Mary Greeley Hospital in Ames.

The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Boone. Visitation will be from noon to 3 p.m., March 14, at the Schroeder Memorial Chapel in Boone, and then again from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church. A vigil service is also planned at 7 p.m., March 14, at Sacred Heart Church.

Father Fitzgerald was born on Jan. 9, 1964, in Boone, to John and Helen (Van Lent) Fitzgerald. He grew up on a farm north of Boone and graduated from Boone High School in 1982. He graduated from Briar Cliff College, Sioux City, before continuing his education toward the priesthood at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis. Father Fitzgerald was ordained to the priesthood on June 2, 1990, at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City.

Currently he had been serving as the chaplain of Marian Home in Fort Dodge. His prior assignments included being the assistant pastor of Corpus Christi Parish in Fort Dodge and Blessed Sacrament in Sioux City. Father Fitzgerald also served as pastor in Gilmore City, Royal, Rolfe and Everly.

Father Fitzgerald enjoyed music and dancing. He was a member of the Boone High Swing Choir. He also loved to travel. One of his highlights was a trip to the Vatican in Rome. His life was his family and friends. He will be remembered for his giving and loving nature and concern for those less fortunate.

Father Fitzgerald was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by three sisters, Shannon (Mike) Shearer, Maureen (Dewell) Hollingsworth and Luann (Edward) Anderson; many aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews; special caretaker, Deanna Lane at the Marion Home, ladies from Sacred Heart Church who cared for him, many friends from the parishes he served and priests who visited and uplifted him during his long illness. He was especially blessed by his close support group of Father Brian Danner, Father Terry Roder, Father Randy Schon and his sister Maureen.

Memorials may be given to the family to be used at their discretion.