Father Henry R. Hoerburger
Father Henry R. Hoerburger, at the age of 97 of Elk Mound, and a priest for 73 years, died Sunday, October 23, 2016 at Dove Health Care-West in Eau Claire.
Henry Hoerburger was born on December 17, 1918 in Darlington to Alex and Emma (Gisinger) Hoerburger. He grew up in Argyle and attended grade school there. He attended St. Lawrence Seminary School in Mount Calvary for six years before attaining his Master’s Degree at Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis, MO. Fr. Hoerburger was ordained to the priesthood on September 18, 1943 at Kenrick Seminary by Archbishop Glennon.
Father Hoerburger’s first assignment was as Assistant Pastor at St. Aloysius Parish in Sauk City. In 1945 he was appointed Assistant Pastor at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Marathon; In July of 1946 he was appointed as Assistant Pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in La Crosse and as an instructor at Aquinas High School. In 1948, Father Hoerburger was transferred to Holy Cross Parish in La Crosse, serving as Assistant Pastor and was also appointed as Secretary in the Matrimonial Court. In 1951 he also became Chaplain to the Dominican Monastery in La Crosse. On November 14, 1957, he was appointed as Pastor of St. James the Less Parish in La Crosse, where he served until 1966 when he was then assigned as Pastor of Notre Dame Parish in Chippewa Falls. In 1972 Father Hoerburger was appointed Pastor of St. John the Baptist in Plum City. While in Plum City, Fr. Henry was appointed Chairman of the Pierce County Agency on Aging. On April 4, 1989 he became Pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Elk Mound. In 1995 and 1996, he also served as Pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish, Cooks Valley. In 2003, he was also appointed Pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Rock Falls. Father Hoerburger served both of these parishes until he was granted the status of senior priest on October 18, 2005.
Father Hoerburger served on the Priest Senate, St. Joseph Priest Fund Board of Directors, and the Presbyteral Council.
Fr. Henry will be remembered for his 73 years of faithful service to his parishes and schools in the Diocese of La Crosse. Also for coming to Mass in his iconic scooter. He enjoyed working in his garden filled with tomatoes and onions that he made his homemade spicy tomato juice with.
Father Hoerburger is survived by one sister; Helen Rysse of Ann Arbor, MI, several nieces, nephews, many great nieces and nephews and one great-great niece. He is preceded in death by his parents, three sisters; Anne and Marie Hoerburger and Rose Rasmussen.
Fr. Henry’s family would like to thank the staff at Comforts of Home in Menomonie and Dove Health Care-West in Eau Claire for the wonderful care he has received these last few months.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM Thursday, November 3, 2016 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elk Mound. Bishop William Patrick Callahan will be the main celebrant. Father Eugene Wolf will be the homilist. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church with a Rosary Service at 3:45 PM and an evening Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. There will also be visitation one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.