Fr Umberger obituary

With hope in the Resurrection, we commend to the Lord

Father Patrick Albert Umberger, at the age of 60 and a priest for 30 years, died Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010, in La Crosse.

Father Umberger was born Oct. 21, 1950, in La Crosse, to Odell and MaryAnn (née Jacobs) Umberger. He attended Stoddard Elementary School in Stoddard,and was a 1968 graduate of De Soto High School in De Soto. Father Umberger graduated from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a degree in music education in 1972, and taught music for several years in Birchwood, Wis., and Lansing, Iowa. He then entered Saint Francis Seminary School of Pastoral Ministry in Milwaukee, and was ordained May 16, 1980, for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee at Saint John the Evangelist Cathedral in Milwaukee by Archbishop Rembert G. Weakland, O.S.B. Father Umberger served at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in West Allis, Wis. and Immaculate Conception Parish in Burlington, Wis., in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

Father Umberger’s first assignment in the Diocese of La Crosse was as Associate Pastor of St. James Parish in La Crosse on June 24, 1986. In 1987, he was appointed Associate Pastor of Saint Patrick Parish in Mauston and on March 13, 1990, he was appointed Pastor of St. Jerome Parish in Wonewoc, Wis., St. Patrick Parish in Elroy, Wis., and St. Theresa Parish in Union Center. Father Umberger was incardinated into the Diocese of La Crosse on June 22, 1991. On June 15, 1993, he was appointed Pastor of St. Bronislava Parish in Plover, Wis. Father Umberger was then appointed Pastor of Holy Family Parish in Arcadia on July 25, 2000. On Jan. 20, 2004, he was appointed Parochial Administrator of St. Ansgar Parish in Blair and St. John the Apostle Parish in Whitehall; then on Feb. 9, 2005, he was appointed Pastor of the two parishes. Father Umberger was appointed Parochial Administrator of St. Patrick Parish in Onalaska on June 21, 2005, and as Pastor on Nov. 30, 2005. He resigned from the pastorate on July 29, 2010.

In his free time, Father Pat loved fishing and enjoyed traveling throughout the world.

Father Pat is survived by two sisters, Kitty (Rick) Stellick of Viroqua, and Kathy (Jeff) Benson of Stoddard; nephews, Chuck Morey of Viroqua, and Kyle Benson of Stoddard; niece, CarrieAnn Morey (Lee Sherry) of Viroqua; a grand-nephew and niece, Brett and Hallie; a good friend, Nancy “Fluff” Schreier of Onalaska; and his two cats, Bailey and Ashes.

Father Pat was preceded in death by his parents and maternal and paternal grandparents.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, Dec. 3, at Christ the King Chapel in Holy Cross Diocesan Center in La Crosse. Bishop William P. Callahan was the main celebrant.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Franciscan Skemp Hospice and the staff at Meadowood Assisted Living for their wonderful care and compassion and to extend a special thank you to Pat and Rose Ferguson and Msgr. Bernard McGarty and his sister, Ellen McGarty Flynn for graciously opening their homes to Father Pat.

The Diocese of La Crosse and the family are being assisted by Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home in La Crosse. An online guest book is available at www.schumacher-kish.com. 

La Crosse Tribune