Father Irenaeus Kimminau, OFM
Father Irenaeus Kimminau, OFM, age of 103, went to be with the Lord on Monday, April 29, 2024 from Quincy Healthcare and Senior Living Center. He was born on April 9, 1921 in Mount Clare, Nebraska, the oldest of 8 children of Ferdinand and Mary (Lienert) Kimminau.
Irenaeus felt the call to the priesthood and randomly chose the Franciscan Seminary in Westmont, Illinois. His focus was always on being a priest. His solemn profession as a Franciscan was on August 20, 1946 and he was ordained a priest on June 24, 1949. The Franciscan way of life wore off on him and he wore it well. He became and remained a humble and beloved servant of the people and a devoted brother to his fellow Franciscans. Christmas and the birth of Christ joining us in our humanity to save us was his favorite season.
All of his ministry was in parishes. He served in St. Louis, MO; Cleveland, OH; Washington, MO; Teutopolis, IL, Hermann. MO; Riverton, IL; Indianapolis, IN and Quincy. His last ministry was at St. Anthony Catholic Church. He was pastor and then became a part time associate. Finally, he retired, but still celebrated Mass there every Tuesday morning with St. Anthony Devotions attached until he reached his 98th birthday, driving himself from the friary to the parish to the very end.
He is survived by:
A SISTER: Agnes Piontek of Washington, MO
Numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, other relatives and his brother Franciscans also survive.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings: Stephanie Straatmann, Sr. Mary Kimminau, Herb Kimminau, Irene Abbott, Erna Kimminau and Terry Kimminau.
A Mass of Chrisitan Burial will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 11:00 AM at St. Anthony Catholic Church. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 2, 2024 from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at St. Anthony Catholic Church and on Friday from 10:00 AM until the time of the Mass at 11:00 also at St. Anthony Catholic Church. Interment in Calvary Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Holy Cross Friary or to St. Anthony Catholic Church. The Duker & Haugh Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
I will always remember religion class he taught one day at st Anthony school. The boys were being boys, he had enough of their behavior. He yelled at the boys
Father Kimminau was such an honor caring for him. Never complained even though he wasn’t feeling good. Always smiling. I looked forward to see him. RIP Father. Your work is done here on earth.
After we would visit with him we always commented on how wonderfully you all treated him. From the bottom of our hearts, we say thank you!
What loving Priest. Father was always a ray of Sunshine. He never forgot where he came from and never forgot his people.
RIP Father continue to keep us in your heart.
What an Honor to have known Him… Met him when he first came to St. Anthonys, he was walking on a gravel road one evening praying his Office. I was driving my Grandfather’s tractor pulling a hayrack wagon going after a load of hay. I stopped and welcomed him to St. Anthonys. We had a very nice conversation those many years ago. God Bless a Dear and Faithful Servant of the Lord… he touched many lives.
I was Blessed to call this kind, gentle, holy man Uncle. Many wonderful memories of him and his loving parish friends in Quincy. He enjoyed his dogs, (even though he hadn’t had one for decades), gardening and playing cards. Some of my favorite memories are playing with his dad (Grandpa), Father and my Dad. Pinochle was one of his favorites and he was very good at the game, as he was with all the card games. My mom always joked that she could never beat him at a game. Speaking of cards – how many of you received Birthday cards, Christmas cards and Easter cards without fail? Just keeping up with nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews – I’m sure his postage bill was high!
He baptized, married and buried so many of his family. A Faithful, Faith-filled, loving example of Christ’s love.
He had baptized my now 28yr old son a precious memory! Wonderful man!
Dear Family – I am sorry for your loss – I wish you peace. He said mass at our house for my Grandparents 65th wedding anniversary decades ago. I was honored to serve mass for him!
Fr, Irenaeus was a holy, humble Priest, never proud or boastful. He was a quiet man and said much when he spoke. He baptized two of our three children at St. Anthony’s, now 58 and 59 years old. Each year, even after he retired, we would send him a Christmas card with a gift inside. He was always grateful. He always sent a ‘Thank-you’ note, enclosing holy cards and religious items. Janice attended many of his Tuesday Masses with the Novena to St. Anthony following. Fr. Irenaeus was almost like St. Anthony himself, a very Saintly man!