Fr. Edwin Kassens (1859-1942)

The first pastor of St. Bede Parish, Kelly, Kan., was born in Old Vincennes, Ind., May 2, 1859.  He came to St. Benedict’s College in 1877 following his uncle, Fr. Peter Kassens, who had been a member of the community for eleven years by this time.  Father Peter Kassens was a friend and classmate to Father Boniface Verheyen (see the Necrology for December 23).  Father Edwin was ordained in 1889 and served as an instructor at the college until 1902 when he was sent to organize the new parish at Kelly.  He supervised the construction of the present Gothic Church. 

Father Edwin was plagued with failing eyesight but his vision was somewhat restored by an operation.  He assisted Coadjutor Bishop Francis Johannes while the bishop was resident in Marysville, Kan.  From 1930-36 he was hospital chaplain at Sabetha and in charge of the mission there.  He was appointed chaplain of Mercy Hospital, Fort Scott, Kan., but with a recurrence of eye problems retired from there in 1941 and returned to the Abbey.  Apparently he never lost his mental sharpness and what were termed “witticisms and practical philosophical epigrams that never failed to delight and amuse those who were near him.”

Father Edwin died on Christmas Eve “cheerful to the last, he joyfully awaited his final call while exchanging pleasantries with those in attendance upon him and calculating how much longer he would have to wait.”