Elsbernd, Reverend Elmer

1936 - 2001  (65 years)

• Name	Elsbernd, Elmer
  Prefix	Reverend
  Birth	4 May 1936	Calmar, Winneshiek , Iowa, USA
  Gender	Male
  Family History Researcher	From Nancy 2002 From Nancy Brincks Elsbernd Family History; 9 Jan 1965 Ordained a Pri est for the Society of Divine Word of Techny, IL. 17 Jan 1965 Celebrat ed his First Mass Father Elmer Elsbernd attended Our Lady of Seven Dolors grade school in Fe stina, IA. In 1950 he entered the Society of the Divine Word Seminary Hi gh School in East Troy, Wisconsin. He had his novitiate in Canisius, N Y. He was ordained at Techny, IL with his parents and many family membe rs present. His first Mass was celebrated at his home parish in Festin a, IA.In the year following his ordination, Father Elmer earned a Masters degr ee in Mathematics at DePaul University while also assisting in an Afro-Ame rican parish in Chicago, IL. He served as Vocation Director, Assistant De an of Students, and teacher at Divine Word College in Epworth, IA from 19 65 - 1972. He was transferred to Divine Word High School Seminary in Perr ysburg, Ohio in 1972 where he was the Dean of Students except for two yea rs when he served as the Principal. He also managed a retreat house and h elped in various parishes.After 14 years at Perrysburg, Father Elmer went to the Divine Word Missio ns in the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua, New Guinea to do pastoral w ork. Concurrent with his serving in several parishes from 1986 - 199 6, he started a domestic school for girls in Kainantu, was chaplain at a p rison, and for several years performed the administrative duties of the di ocesan bishop of Goroka. Although English is the official language in Pap ua, New Guinea, Father Elmer learned Pidgin English so that he could prea ch and communicate with the native people who used many different native l anguages. In 1996 he was elected as the Provincial Superior for all the D ivine Word Missionaries in Papua, New Guinea who numbered about 220 pries ts and brothers from 23 countries. He served in this position until his r eturn to the United States for medical care in January 2001.In addition to his fulfilling his priestly vocation, Father Elmer enjoy ed the hobby of woodworking, visiting with his family and traveling. He w as diverse in his talents and abilities -- as shown by the fact he us ed a caterpillar for a snow plow to open roads and helped with field wo rk while in Canisius, NY; drove a school bus and ran a summer camp for bo ys in Perrysburg; helped with baling and took nieces and nephews on tri ps when on home visits, and did many handyman jobs wherever he was. Father Elsbernd was a member of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), an i nternational Catholic missionary society serving the poor in more th an 60 countries.
  Religious Vows	Aft 1954
  Occupation	Bef 8 Dec 2001
  Catholic Priest for the Society of Divine Word
  Catholic Priest for the Society of Divine Word
  Death	8 Dec 2001	Techny, Cook, Illinois, USA
  	Cause: Unk - Aged 65 Years
  Obituary	Aft 8 Dec 2001
  Missing
  Person ID	I47305	1FamilyTree
  Last Modified	11 Aug 2016

  
  

  Father	Elsbernd, Alois,   b. 5 May 1903, Festina, Winneshiek, Iowa, USA d. 10 Jul 1974, Calmar, Winneshiek , Iowa, USA (Age 71 years)
  Mother	Kuennen, Loretta,   b. 8 May 1904, Festina, Winneshiek, Iowa, USA d. 30 Aug 1991, Calmar, Winneshiek , Iowa, USA (Age 87 years)
  Family ID	F14749	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Photos

  Elsbernd, Father Elmer