Fr. Kenneth John Klink died on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at the age of 84, at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg, Wisconsin.
He was born on August 28, 1940, in Watertown, Wisconsin, and baptized at St. Bernard Parish Church in Watertown on September 8, 1940.
Father Klink is predeceased by his parents, Paul and Marie (Heimerl) Klink.
After attending St.Bernard Parish Grade School in Watertown, Wisconsin, Father Klink completed his high school and general collegiate studies at St. Lawrence Seminary, Mt. Calvary, Wisconsin, and completed his philosophical studies at St. Francis de Sales Seminary, St. Francis, Wisconsin. He completed his theological studies at Theological College at the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.
Father Klink was ordained to the sacred priesthood by The Most Reverend William P. O’Connor, Bishop of Madison, on May 28, 1966, at Saint Raphael Cathedral, Madison.
Father Klink began ministering in the Diocese of Madison as a Parochial Vicar at Holy Mother of Consolation Parish, Oregon. He then served as an instructor at Holy Name Seminary, Madison, for many years, as well as serving as the Associate Director of Vocations.
After returning for a period to Holy Mother of Consolation Parish, Oregon as a Parochial Vicar, Father Klink ministered for many years as pastor at St. Mary of Lourdes Parish, Belleville, with mission to St. James Parish, Dayton, from which he retired as Pastor Emeritus in 2010. Father Klink also served several terms on the Diocese of Madison Presbyteral Council.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 338 South Harrison St., Belleville, Wisconsin, on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, at 6 p.m. The Most Reverend Donald J. Hying, Bishop of Madison, will celebrate the Holy Mass, with the Reverend Father James Murphy, Parochial Vicar for the parishes of Queen of Martyrs Pastorate, Beloit, as homilist.
Visitation at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church will be held on Thursday, Oct.10, from 3 p.m. until shortly before the time of the Funeral Mass.
Pie and ice cream will be served in the narthex of the Church after the Funeral Mass.
Interment at St. Bernard Parish Cemetery, Watertown, will take place the following afternoon, Friday, Oct. 11.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made either to St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Belleville, or to the Diocese of Madison specifically for the support of retired priests.
Online condolences may be left at Beal Funeral Home, Belleville at https://www.bealfuneralhomes.com/obituary/fr-kenneth-klink