Father Carl Dockendorff
Father Carl Dockendorff, 83, of Wisconsin Rapids
and the town of Rome, Adams County, Wis., died Sunday, Oct. 19,
2003, at St. Joseph Palliative care Unit in Marshfield, Wis.
Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Vincent de
Paul Catholic Church in Wisconsin Rapids. The Most Rev. Raymond
Burke, the Rev. Jerome Gerum and the Rev. William Menzel will
officiate. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Wisconsin Rapids.
Father Dockendorff was born Feb. 23, 1920, in La Crosse to Bernard
and Cora (Kurtenacker) Dockendorff. He attended Holy Trinity Grade
School and Aquinas High School in La Crosse. He then attended Loras
College in Dubuque, Iowa, where he received a BA degree in
philosophy in 1941. He then attended St. Mary's Seminary and the
University of Baltimore in Baltimore, Md., where he received his STB
degree. Father also spent one year in the law school at the
University of Wisconsin in Madison. Father was ordained to the
priesthood in La Crosse at the old St. Joseph's Cathedral by Bishop
John P. Treacy on Dec. 8, 1945.
Father Dockendorff's first assignment was as associate pastor at St.
Mary's in Wausau, Wis., from 1945 to 1950. He then was assigned as
associate pastor of Saints Peter & Paul Church in Wisconsin Rapids,
serving there until March 1956. Bishop Treacy then appointed Father
to establish a new parish on the southeast part of Wisconsin Rapids,
and the church was named St. Vincent de Paul Church. He built a
school, church and Sisters' Convent, starting March 11, 1956, and
was dedicated the following year in October 1957. In 1980-1981, St.
Vincent extended its buildings to include a parish center with
gymnasium and auditorium, which was dedicated by Bishop Freking in
1981. Father remained the pastor at St. Vincent de Paul Church until
July 15, 1991, when he retired. He continued to give assistance at
the church until Sept. 16, 2001.
Father was a longtime member of Serra Club and was a Fourth Degree
Knights of Columbus. Father enjoyed traveling and was a fan of both
the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers.
Survivors include a brother, Mark Dockendorff of La Crosse; sisters,
Marie Silha of Weymouth, Mass., Cecilia Davidson of La Crosse and
Imelda Wright of La Crosse. He also is survived by longtime
housekeeper Dolores Gerum of Wisconsin Rapids.
His parents; three brothers, Father Paul Dockendorff, Bernard
Dockendorff, MD, and John C. Dockendorff; and infant sister, Therese
Dockendorff, preceded Father in death.
Friends may call at St. Vincent de Paul Church from 4 to 8 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. An Office of the Dead
Service will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the church.
Ritchay Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids is handling all
arrangements.
Memorials can be designated to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church
or to Assumption High School.