In Memoriam
We give thanks for the following Jesuits who have gone home to God.
Fr. Patrick J. Donnelly, SJ
September 23, 1934 – June 13, 2025
“Pat was a hard worker and a prodigious writer. He gave himself wholeheartedly to his teaching, scholarship and writing. He loved reading books and stayed abreast of current events. Most of all, he loved being a Jesuit and a priest.”
English and history teacher at Creighton Preparatory School in Omaha; history teacher at his alma mater, Campion Jesuit High School in Prairie du Chien, Wis.; history professor at Marquette University in Milwaukee for 43 years, where he was a recognized scholar specializing in the Renaissance, the Reformation and the Jesuits; author of several books and many scholarly articles; recipient in 1988 of the Marquette University Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence; passionate golfer and author of the article “Golf as a Spiritual Exercise”; missioned to St. Camillus.
Fr. Cletus H. Pfab, SJ
May 15, 1937 – June 28, 2025
“Cletus was an admirable Jesuit, totally dedicated to the poor and marginalized people he served. He had an active, inquiring mind and was interested in and knowledgeable about many things, scientific and non-scientific. Born and raised in a large Iowa farming family, he met people easily, lived simply and knew how to share Christ’s love with those most in need.”
Math, biology and chemistry teacher at Creighton Preparatory School in Omaha; minister to homeless and disabled adults; theology, English and biology teacher at his alma mater, Campion Jesuit High School in Prairie du Chien, Wis.; desiring to work more directly with the poor and marginalized, spent eight years working with the United Farm Workers organization, where he was a union organizer and field office manager in New York and California; associate pastor at St. Patrick’s Church in Milwaukee and at St. Bruno’s Church in San Bruno, California; chaplain at Creighton University; parochial vicar at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Minneapolis; pastoral minister in Milwaukee at St. Camillus Jesuit Community, Miguel Pro Jesuit Community and Arrupe House; missioned to Colombiere Center.
Fr. William F. Gerut, SJ
January 6, 1937 – July 17, 2025
“Bill was a faithful Jesuit priest who served God’s people and his brother Jesuits in a variety of ministries and locations. He provided excellent cura personalis to all he encountered: students, faculty and staff, parishioners, retreatants and Jesuits. He was kind and available to the people to whom he ministered and a quiet, practical and steady Jesuit brother in community.”
History teacher at Creighton Preparatory School in Omaha; religion and social studies teacher at St. Francis Mission on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota; associate pastor and pastor at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Mankato, Minn.; associate pastor of St. Isaac Jogues Parish in Rapid City, S.D.; pastor of St. Gabriel and St. John’s Parishes in Prairie du Chien, Wis.; retreat and spiritual director at Creighton University’s Retreat Center in Griswold, Iowa; chaplain at CHI Health Creighton Hospital in Omaha; minister of Jesuit communities at Creighton Preparatory School, Holy Rosary Mission on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota and Creighton University in Omaha; missioned to St. Camillus.
Fr. Michael D. Kurimay, SJ
July 15, 1942 – August 25, 2025
“Jim was a devoted priest who loved to help people on the margins encounter Christ. He was a dedicated teacher who enjoyed helping students express themselves through art. Not only was he proud of his former students, but many of them were his friends. Jim truly cared for those with which he lived and worked. He preferred to show his care for others in actions rather than words.”
English and religion teacher at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati; art/photography teacher at Saint Ignatius College Prep in Chicago for 36 years; minister of the Woodlawn Jesuit Community in Chicago for eight years; missioned to St. Camillus Jesuit Community.
To read the full obituaries of Jesuits who have gone home to God, visit us at www.jesuitsmidwest.org/In-Memoriam
IN THIS ISSUE
ON THE COVER
The 2025 ordinands at Madonna della Strada Chapel on the campus of Loyola University Chicago following ordination Mass at St. Ita Church in Chicago.
Photo: Steve Donisch