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Fr. LeRoy Seuntjens dies at age 77

Father LeRoy Lawrence Seuntjens, 77, a priest of the Diocese of Sioux City who in retirement served as chaplain at Trinity Heights Queen of Peace in Sioux City, died May 10, 2012, in Sioux City.

The funeral Mass was held Monday, May 14, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Danbury with Bishop R. Walker Nickless officiating. Concelebrants were Msgr. Roger Augustine, Father Victor Ramaeker, Father Terry Roder, Msgr. Gerald Lyon, Msgr. Richard Zenk, Father Laurence Burns, Father Gerald Feierfeil, Father Michael Larkin and other priests of the Diocese of Sioux City. Deacon Ray Rosburg assisted at the altar.

Interment will be in Danbury Catholic Cemetery. Visitation was held on Sunday, with a rosary at 5 p.m. conducted by the Knights of Columbus and a vigil wake service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements were under the direction of Armstrong Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa and Danbury.

Father Seuntjens was born on Dec. 25, 1934, in Danbury to Siebert and Clara (Ortner) Seuntjens. He grew up in Danbury, beginning his education at a country school. He attended grade school at St. Mary School and graduated from Danbury Catholic High School. He attended Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, as his minor seminary. Upon completion, he transferred to North American College Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome as his major seminary. He was ordained on Dec. 18, 1960, at North American College in Rome and received his S.T.L. from Pontifical Gregorian University.

Father LeRoy's assignments include assistant pastor at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Sioux City from 1961 to 1965, assistant pastor at St. Lawrence Parish in Carroll from 1965 to 1966, associate director at Catholic Charities in Fort Dodge from 1966 to 1967, pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Lohrville from  1966 to 1971, pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Sutherland (attending Primghar) from 1971 to 1974, and pastor at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Mt. Carmel from 1974 to 1981. He served as Defender of the Bond, Tribunal, at the Diocese of Sioux City from 1974 to 1975 and Judge, Tribunal, at the Diocese of Sioux City from 1975 to 1983.

His assignments also include pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Boone from 1981 to 1983, pastor at St. Mary Parish in Remsen from 1983 to 1986, pastor at Assumption Parish/St. Thomas Parish in Emmetsburg from 1986 to 1989, pastor at Holy Family Parish in Emmetsburg from 1989 to 1991, pastor at St. Matthew Parish in Clare (attending Barnum) from 1991 to 1994, pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Anthon in 1995, chaplain at Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City from 1995 to 1998, pastor at St. Mary Parish in Hawarden from 1998 to 2007, and chaplain at Trinity Heights Queen of Peace in Sioux City from 2007 until his death.

Father LeRoy was a Third Degree Knights of Columbus. He loved the Hispanic community and officiated at a large number of Spanish Masses.

Survivors left to cherish their memories of Father LeRoy include three brothers, Clair and his wife, Madelon "Tootie" Seuntjens of Danbury, Ronald and his wife, Marilyn Seuntjens of Mapleton and Cleo Seuntjens of Omaha; two sisters, Rita Dirksen of Danbury and Helen and her husband, Gary Kelley of Sioux City; numerous nieces and nephews; and his fellow Brothers in Christ.

Father LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents, Siebert and Clara Seuntjens; a sister-in-law, Lois Seuntjens; and two brothers-in-law, Ray Venteicher and Joe Dirksen.