Father Patrick J. Berther

FR. PATRICK J. BERTHER
St. Fidelas Friary, Appleton

Age 99, died Monday, December 10, 2001, at St. Paul Home, Kaukauna.

Fr. Patrick Berther, Capuchin, was born in Madison, South Dakota, on May 18, 1902, to Martin Berther and Maggie Wadden. He attended grade and high school at Eastern Normal in Madison. He eventually returned to school when he was twenty. He enrolled at Creighton University in Omaha and graduated with a bachelor degree in Philosophy, plus a teaching certificate. He traveled to Detroit and was hired by the Jesuits to teach history and English at Holy Name High School. At age 26 he heard of the Capuchins on Mt. Elliot and applied. He was invested with the Capuchin robe on August 18, 1927. Fr. Pat was ordained at Marathon, Wisconsin, on June 17, 1934. His first assignment took him to St. John Parish, New York. One year later he was reassigned to St. David Parish, Broadus, Montana. He stayed there till 1975. He then moved to Ekalaka, Montana, where he remained until 1991. From there he moved to St. Labre where he stayed til 1997. He was 95 years old. In that year he was quoted as saying, “for 60 years I have been independent. Now I’m going to live with the friars back in Wisconsin.” Fr. Pat was retired!

He is preceded in death by his two sisters, Mary and Agnes and his parents, Martin and Maggie. He is survived by many cousins and many, many friends too numerous to mention. They span the entire United States and then some. He is remembered for his wry wit and sparkling eyes. His hobbies were stamp collecting and tatting, which he continued to pursue till he moved to St. Paul Nursing Home. He was very proud of his Swiss heritage, love to celebrate and get his picture taken. He was very faithful to his God, the Church, his brother Capuchins, his family and friends. He remembered you all in his prayers every day. A special thanks to the staff at St. Paul Home for taking good care of him.

The Capuchin Brothers will celebrate Fr. Pat’s life here on earth and his entrance into Heaven with a wake at St. Fidelis Friary on Wednesday, December 12, 2001, at 7:30 p.m. The Mass will be at St. Joseph Parish in Appleton at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday. Friends may call directly at the church on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services. Burial will take place at Mt. Calvary at 3:45 p.m. on Thursday. May he rest in peace.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 North Superior Street
Appleton 739-1231
www.wichmannfuneralhomes.com