In Memoriam
We give thanks for the following Jesuits who have gone home to God.
Fr. Donald F. Rauscher, SJ
December 23, 1932 — October 8, 2024
“Don was a faithful Jesuit priest, intellectually alive and unafraid to take up new challenges in different areas of ministry, going where the need was the greatest. He enjoyed reading about and engaging others in discussions about world affairs. He was spirited, independent, and clear about what he wanted and needed.”
Teacher at Campion Jesuit High School in Prairie du Chien, Wis.; instructor at Marquette University; pastoral minister at Holy Rosary Mission and teacher at Red Cloud Indian School, both on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota; librarian at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and at Saint Louis University; hospital chaplain and a pastoral minister at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Mankato, Minn., and at Creighton University; missioned to St. Camillus.
Fr. Richard Twohig, SJ
January 16th 1933 – October 21, 2024
“Dick was a devoted priest and Jesuit who was available to be missioned where the need was the greatest. He delighted in helping men and women to deepen their love for Christ and influenced countless high school students and staff in Cleveland, Detroit and Tanzania.”
Physics, math teacher, chaplain and principal at University of Detroit Jesuit High School, and rector of the Jesuit community there; teacher and principal at his alma mater, Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland; socius to two Detroit Province provincials and provincial assistant for international missions, secondary education, and health care; headmaster of Loyola High School in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; superior and director of Colombiere Center; minister in the Adult Faith Formation program at Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; missioned to Colombiere Center.
Fr. James M. Dixon, SJ
September 6, 1942 – November 28, 2024
“Dixie, as many of us called him, was a faithful friend to his relatives, Jesuit companions, former colleagues and former classmates. Some of his most attractive qualities were an endearing vulnerability, a capacity to laugh at himself, and a willingness to speak truth simply and succinctly as he saw it.”
Sociology instructor at Loyola University Chicago who also worked on a sociological survey of the Society of Jesus; associate pastor at the Native Deacon Program at Immaculate Conception Church in West Bay, Ontario; theology teacher at Saint Ignatius College Prep in Chicago; pastor of Holy Rosary Mission in South Dakota; senior associate judge of the Diocese of Rapid City, S.D.; associate pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Parish, and St. Ignatius Church in Chicago; member of the Matrimonial Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Chicago; pastor of a family of parishes in Arizona; associate judge of the Diocese of Little Rock, Ark.; associate director and director of the Heartland Center in Hammond, Ind.; director of peace and social justice for the Diocese of Gary, Ind.; superior of the Woodlawn Jesuit Community; chaplain for the Ignatian Volunteer Corps; missioned to St. Camillus.
Fr. Anthony L. Dagelen, SJ
June 12, 1926 – December 7, 2024
“Tony was a steady man, absolutely reliable, willing to do whatever needed to be done. His more than 30 years among the Lakota gave him some understanding of what it means to be poor, and his many years serving his brother Jesuits at St. Camillus taught him something about sickness and suffering. So, he was at peace when the Lord he served so faithfully called him home.”
Math, general science, religion and physics teacher at Red Cloud Indian School (now Mahvpíya Lúta), administrator and treasurer of Holy Rosary Mission, administrator and chaplain of Lourdes Mission Station and School, all on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota; missioned to St. Camillus, where he served as assistant superior until in 2011.
Fr. Patrick J. Connolly, SJ
July 27, 1935 – December 17, 2024
Professor in the School of Film and Television at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, becoming emeritus in 2016; pastoral minister in Los Angeles-area parishes and health care facilities; missioned to Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in California.
Br. James F. Heidrick, SJ
Febuary 18, 1938 – January 8, 2024
“Brother Jim was a great Jesuit. As he rode his scooter across Creighton’s campus in his critical role as the university’s locksmith and key maker, he was well known and loved. He was a delight in community, and faithful to daily Mass.”
Studied electricity and other things in the juniorate at Jesuit College in St. Bonifacius, Minn.; worked in various areas of the Creighton University maintenance department for almost six decades, 1964-2021, including supervising the boiler room, repairing roofs and repairing dental equipment, telephones and televisions; worked as a locksmith and came to be known on campus as the “keeper of the keys”; missioned to St. Camillus.
Fr. Albert R. Thelen, SJ
October 25, 1933 – January 17, 2024
“Bert was comfortable in his own skin and was not threatened or deterred by any challenge that came his way. He exuded confidence and expected positive outcomes, whether he was fishing, playing cards or addressing conflicts that upset or worried people.”
English and theology teacher at Creighton Preparatory School; director of campus ministry at Marquette University; provincial, provincial assistant for both secondary education and pastoral and social ministries, as well as formation director for the Wisconsin Province; rector of the Marquette University High School and Marquette University Jesuit communities; pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Pine Ridge, S.D.; director of campus ministry and pastor at St. John’s Parish and executive director of The Cardoner Network, the vocation reflection program, at Creighton University; pastor of St. Benedict’s Parish in Omaha; ecclesial assistant for Christian Life Community of the Wisconsin Province; missioned to St. Camillus.
