Gilsdorf, Reverend Gordon

Other Events:

• Religious Vows: Aft 1930
• Ordained: 11 Jun 1949
• Stationed at: Bef 1953, Holy Cross Catholic Church, Kaukauna, Wisconsin, USA; Assistant Pastor
• Book: Abt 1960; Centennial History of St. Nicholas Freedom (Author)
• Obituary: 16 Oct 2014; Appleton Post Crescent

Notes:

Obituary:
The Reverend Gordon J. Gilsdorf, age 89, entered eternal life on Tuesday, October 14, 2014, after residing at St. Paul Home in Kaukauna. With faith in Christ and supported by his loving family and friends, he nobly endured the debilitating effects of a stroke.
Father Gilsdorf was born March 23, 1925, in Sheboygan to Othmar and Matilda (Gehl) Gilsdorf. He received his primary education at Sacred Heart School in Sherwood, attended high school and junior college at Mt. Calvary, studied philosophy and theology at St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee, and did advanced summer studies at St. Norbert College, Marquette University and Loras College in Dubuque, IA. In 1960, he earned a masters degree in English from Marquette University and did further studies in journalism and drama at Marquette. Fr. Gordon was ordained a priest by Bishop Stanislaus V. Bona on June 11, 1949. His ministerial appointments were assistant pastor at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay and Holy Cross, Kaukauna. In 1953, he was appointed to the faculty at the newly founded Sacred Heart Seminary in Oneida and served as its first spiritual director. During those years, Fr. Gilsdorf served as vice-rector, was elected president of the Priests' Senate, and was a member of the Diocesan Board of Consultors. In 1976, Fr. Gordon became a member of the faculty at St. Joseph Academy in Green Bay until its closing in 1990 after which he became a member of the faculty at Notre Dame de la Baie Academy where he served until his illness in December of 2011.
Fr. Gilsdorf was a priest, poet, and faculty member who mentored thousands upon thousands of students. As priest he celebrated the sacraments and preached God's word at the seminary and in many parishes, especially at St. Nicholas in Freedom, St. Pius in Little Suamico, and St. Benedict in Suamico. As a poet and author, Fr. Gordon penned three books of poetry. In collaboration with Fr. William Zimmer, the "History of the Diocese of Green Bay" was published in 1968, the centennial of the Diocese. Fr. Gilsdorf also authored a centennial history of St. Nicholas Parish, Freedom in 1960. As a teacher, Fr. Gordon was a master. Over the years he was recognized for ability in teaching his students to write. In 1996, the governor of the State of Wisconsin named him Teacher of the Year. In April of 2010, Fr. Gilsdorf received the National Catholic Educational Association Secondary Education Award. As priest, poet, and teacher, Fr. Gilsdorf demonstrated that he was a good steward of God's many gifts.
When asked about his life and ministry, Fr. Gordon commented: "I am never happier nor more fulfilled than in the classroom, except perhaps in the pulpit or at the altar. These are uncomplicated spots, places where I often feel I am where God wanted me to be. What more could one ask of his life!" And, as for the bottom line of the meaning of life, the last stanza in Fr. Gilsdorf's "Lyrics for the Christian" reads: "I searched / God's lexicon / To fathom 'Bethlehem' / and 'Calvary.' It simply said: / See 'Love.'" Fr. Gilsdorf knew that love is the beginning and end of our lives.
Fr. Gordon is survived by a brother and a sister: Richard (Lucy) Gilsdorf, Charlesburg, and Sister Marita Gilsdorf, ANG, Sherwood, who was Fr. Gordon's primary and loving care-giver. He is further survived by fourteen nephews and nieces and many grand-nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, David and Fr. Daniel, by two sisters-in-law, Jean (Richard) Gilsdorf and Bernetta (David) Gilsdorf, as well as a nephew, Tom Gilsdorf and a niece, Marian Gilsdorf.
Reception of the body by the Regional Vicar, Rev. Richard Klingeisen will take place at 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 108 S. Sixth St. in Hilbert, WI. The Wake Service will be held at 7 p.m. The visitation will continue on Friday from 9 to 11 a.m. The Funeral Liturgy, expressing our faith and hope in the promised glory of the Lord's Resurrection will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the church. Bishop Robert Morneau will be the celebrant and Bishop Robert Banks will concelebrate. Entombment will be in the Allouez Chapel Mausoleum.
Blaney Funeral Home is assisting the family. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established to benefit Notre Dame de la Baie Academy.
A special thank you is extended to the staff of St. Paul's Home for their loving care of Father during his three years in Kaukauna.