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| Fr. Lawrence J. Kieffer |
MADISON — A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Fr. Lawrence J. Kieffer at St. Maria Goretti Church, 5313 Flad Ave., Madison, on Wednesday, July 10, 2013, at 11 a.m.
Bishop Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison, will be the celebrant with Msgr. Kevin Holmes as homilist. Visitation will be held at St. Maria Goretti Church from 9 a.m. until the Mass, with the Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy prayed at 9:30 a.m.
Immediately following Mass, a luncheon will be served in the St. Maria Goretti Parish Hall. Interment at St. Mary Cemetery, Mineral Point, will follow at 3 p.m. with Rite of Committal by Fr. David Flanagan.
Father Kieffer died on Thursday, July 4, 2013, at the age of 88, at All Saints Assisted Living Center, under the care of Saint Jude Hospice, in Madison.
He was born on August 10, 1924, in Mineral Point and is predeceased by his parents, Edward and Catherine (Schmit) Kieffer; a brother Edward Kieffer; and a sister Mary (Kieffer) Schmieder.
After attending St. Mary Grade School and Mineral Point High School, Mineral Point, Father Kieffer attended Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, where he completed his collegiate studies in philosophy; St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee, where he studied theology; and the Catholic University in Washington, D.C., where he completed graduate studies while obtaining chaplaincy certification from St. Elizabeth Hospital in Washington, D.C. He also received his Master of Arts in guidance and counseling from Loras College.
He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop William P. O’Connor on May 27, 1950, at St. Raphael Cathedral, Madison.
Father Kieffer served the Diocese of Madison as: associate pastor at St. Bernard Parish, Madison; St. Aloysius Parish, Sauk City, and Holy Redeemer Parish, Madison; pastor at St. Joseph Parish, Gratiot; St. John Parish, South Wayne; St. Thomas Parish, Potosi; St. Ignatius Parish, Mt. Horeb; and St. Victor Parish, Monroe; parochial administrator at Immaculate Conception Parish, Boscobel, and Holy Redeemer Parish, Madison; chaplain at the U.W. Hospitals & Clinics, Madison, with residence at Holy Redeemer Parish, Madison, and chaplain at the V.A. Hospital, Madison, and Oregon Correctional Institution, Oregon.
Father Kieffer retired in 2000, but continued actively ministering until his death.
During his years of service to the Diocese of Madison, Father Kieffer faithfully served as director of vocations; judicial vicar and notary for the Marriage Tribunal; Priest Senate; notary for the Cause of Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli, O.P.; chaplaincy assistance at St. Mary’s and Meriter Hospitals, Madison; Knights of Columbus Council 531 and Court, Madison, and Catholic Daughters of the Americas.
Spiritual ministry was provided at the Schoenstatt Shrine; to the Schoenstatt Family Movement; Immaculate Heart of Mary Marion Cenacle Group; Hispanic Community of Madison; Pro Labore Dei; and All Saints Residence Chapel Group.
Memorials can be made to the Madison Chapter of Pro Labore Dei, 4337 Keating Ter., Madison, WI 53711; Schoenstatt Family Movement, 5901 Cottage Grove Rd., Madison, WI 53718; or to a charity of your choice.