Home > United States of America > Iowa > Plymouth County > Oyens > Saint Catherines Cemetery > Rev Henry Rolfes

Rev Henry Rolfes

Birth	:	30 Nov 1870 Steinfeld, Landkreis Vechta, Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen), Germany
Death	:	6 Jan 1943 Le Mars, Plymouth County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Saint Catherines Cemetery, Oyens, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate	:	42.8224200, -96.0563900
Description	:	Taken from the Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel Le Mars, Iowa, Friday, January 8, 1943 Front page and page eight. Msgr. H. Rolfes Oyens Pastor Answers Call Priest At St. Catherine's For Forty-three Years Rt. Rev. Msgr. Henry Rolfes, 72, pastor of St. Catherine's church in Oyens, died at the Sacred Heart hospital in this city Wednesday, January 6. Msgr. Rolfes had been failing in health for several months and six weeks ago his condition grew worse, although he continued his work. He entered the hospital a week ago. A Faithful Priest Most Rev. Edmond Heelan, bishop of... Read More	Taken from the Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel Le Mars, Iowa, Friday, January 8, 1943 Front page and page eight. Msgr. H. Rolfes Oyens Pastor Answers Call Priest At St. Catherine's For Forty-three Years Rt. Rev. Msgr. Henry Rolfes, 72, pastor of St. Catherine's church in Oyens, died at the Sacred Heart hospital in this city Wednesday, January 6. Msgr. Rolfes had been failing in health for several months and six weeks ago his condition grew worse, although he continued his work. He entered the hospital a week ago. A Faithful Priest Most Rev. Edmond Heelan, bishop of the Sioux City docese, Wednesday night said that Msgr. Rolfes had been one of the most faitthful priests in the diocese. Bishop Heelan expressed deep regret at the death of Msgr. Rolfes. The two men had spent some time together early in their careers of priesthood at Dubuque. Bishop Heelan will be the celebrant at the funeral mass, which will be held in St. Catherine's church, Oyens, at 9:30 o'clock Saturday morning. Rt. Rev. Msgr. J. D. Fisch, V.F., of St. Joseph's church, Le Mars, will deliver the funeral sermon. The body of the departed priest was taken to Oyens Thursday where it will lie in state until the time of the funeral. Born In Germany Rev. Henry Rolfes was born at Stemfeldt, Oldenburg, Germany, November 30, 1870, and came to the United States with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Rolfes, when three years old. They settled near Petersburg, Iowa, and engaged in farming and lived there the remainder of their lives. Frank Rolfes died on April 2, 1910, and his wife but a little more than six months later. Henry Rolfes grew to manhood on the farm, receiving his elementary education in the parochial and public schools of the town. Early evincing a strong interest in the work of the church his schooling was directed with a view in his ultimate entrrance into holy orders and in time he was sent to St. Francis seminary near Milwaukee and after a course of eight years instruction, including philosophy and theology, he was ordained in the priesthood at dubuque, November 23, 1893. He celebrated his first mass in the old home church, St. Peter's and Paul's at Petersburg. He was assistant priest at Sacred Heart church in Dubuque following his ordination for six years. Appointed Pator Here Father Rolfes was appointed pastor of St. Catherine's church at Oyens in 1899, where he continued in service up to the time of his death. During his tenure he has performed effective service. Upon taking charge of the parish of St. Catherine's church he found a membership of about forty-five families. The parish now numbers several hundred. In the spring of 1900 under his direction the erection of a new church building was completed and in the same year he secured the erection of a parochial school ample to accommedate the nees of all the pupils at the time. The growth of the parish necessitated the erection of another building in 1910, and the St. Catherine's parish has an excellent school plant conducted by the Sisters of St. Francis. Father Rolfes also established various helpful societies working within the congregation, the various activities of the parish now being effectively directed by a number of organizations, including a branch of the Roman Catholic Mutual Protective society, the St. Aloysius society, the Christian Mothers society, the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Infants' society. During his residence in Oyens, Father Rolfes has given his earnest attention to all movements hav-ing to do with the advancement of the general welfare of the community and has made countless friends throughout the county, his popularity not being confined to race or creed. Held Many Honors Msgr. Rolfes was appointed a dicesan examiner of the clergy on December 9, 1921, and diocesan consultor, November 2, 1940. His holiness, Pope Pius XII, conferred upon him the honor of the domestic prelacy, and on September 7, 1940, he together with several other priests from the diocese of Sioux City, was invested as domestic prelate by Bishop Heelan in the Cathedral of the Epiphany, Sioux City. Msgr. Rolfes was a member of a family of eight children. He is survived by one brother, Frank rolfes of Petersburg, Iowa, and three sister, Mrs. Pick of Kingsley, Miss Katie Rolfes of Oyens and Mrs. Kronlage of Dyersville, Iowa, and a large number of nephews and nieces. Arrangements are in charge of the Wiltgen funeral home in Le Mars.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Rev Henry Rolfes's memorial?
Rev Henry Rolfes's memorial is located at: Saint Catherines Cemetery, Oyens, Plymouth County, USA.
When did Rev Henry Rolfes death?
Rev Henry Rolfes death on 6 Jan 1943 in Le Mars, Plymouth County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Rev Henry Rolfes's memorial?
Latitude: 42.8224200
Longitude: -96.0563900

Family Members:

Parent

Frank H Rolfes

(1841 - 1916)

Mary A Olberding Rolfes

(1839 - 1916)

Siblings

(1873 - 1949)

(1875 - 1965)

(1877 - 1934)

(1880 - 1953)

Elizabeth A Rolfes Kronlage

(1886 - 1959)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Saint Catherines Cemetery
Oyens, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8224200, -96.0563900

2. Saint Marys Cemetery
Remsen, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8078003, -95.9781036

3. Remsen Cemetery
Remsen, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8058014, -95.9775009

4. Seney Cemetery
Seney, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8586655, -96.1265106

5. Calvary Cemetery
Le Mars, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7939000, -96.1527100

6. Memorial Cemetery
Le Mars, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7875000, -96.1504920

7. Resthaven Cemetery
Le Mars, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8375015, -96.1686020

8. Saint Joseph Cemetery
Struble, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8953018, -96.2005997

9. Union Cemetery
Remsen, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6917000, -96.0291977

10. Sherman Township Cemetery
Maurice, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9667015, -96.1444016

11. Nassau Township Cemetery
Alton, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9832993, -96.0318985

12. Saint Peter Cemetery
Brunsville, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8081017, -96.2767029

13. Saint Marys Cemetery
Maurice, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9594002, -96.1769028

14. Saint Marys Cemetery
Alton, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9902992, -96.0160980

15. Hillside Cemetery
Merrill, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7291985, -96.2544022

16. Christ Lutheran Church Cemetery
Le Mars, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8514600, -96.2902600

17. Stanton Cemetery
Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6786003, -96.1900024

18. Assumption Catholic Cemetery
Merrill, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7214480, -96.2583450

19. Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Neptune, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6447560, -96.1148360

20. Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Henry Township, Plymouth County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6921700, -95.8795700

21. Holy Name Cemetery
Marcus, Cherokee County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8163986, -95.8032990

22. Marcus-Amherst Cemetery
Marcus, Cherokee County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8161011, -95.8007965

23. West Lawn Cemetery
Orange City, Sioux County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0110970, -96.0653000

24. Trinity Lutheran Cemetery
Marcus, Cherokee County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7348000, -95.8208000