Fr. William Rettele (1855-1885)

Father William Rettele passed away October 3, 1885.

A piece by Brother John Kaighin in Abbey News and Views has the following:  “Father William was born in Centerville, Wisc., but his home parish was listed as ‘Wildcat,’ Nemaha County.  Nothing is known of his early years but he received the habit on Sept. 16, 1876, and entered the novitiate on July 11, 1878. He professed simple vows on July 25, 1879. It is presumed that he did his seminary studies at the Abbey’s school of Theology.  Father William made his solemn vows August 24, 1882.”

Father William was ordained with Herman Mengwasser, July 31, 1883. He was assigned to celebrate Mass on Sundays at Doniphan and Severance and in 1884 he was in residence at St. Bridget, near the Nebraska line and served at Axtell as well.   While he was pastor in Capioma (Fidelity, KS) he contracted tuberculosis, returned to the Abbey and was later sent to a hospital in Santa Fe, N. Mex., and died there at age 30.  He is buried at the Rosario Cemetery in Santa Fe.