Reverend Robert A. Pulvermacher

Fr. Pius Pulvermacher
St. Fidelis Friary, Appleton

Fr. Pius Pulvermacher died on May 14, 2002, at St. Paul Home, Kaukauna. He was 82 years old. Last year he had celebrated sixty years as a Capuchin Friar. He was a priest for almost 54 years. Fr. Pius, or Pio as he was known to his brothers, was born to Hubert Joseph Pulvermacher and Cecilia Lenerz on January 30, 1920, on a farm eight miles south of Marshfield, Wisconsin. They called him Robert Alois. He grew up on the farm and developed into a tall and strong young man.. School and studies did not come easy to Robert, but after finishing grade school he decided to study for the priesthood. He entered St. Lawrence Seminary and finished his high school studies. He then joined the Capuchins and was ordained to the priesthood June 2, 1948. Fr. Pius began his ministry in Milwaukee, meeting various needs in Detroit, Baraga, Ashland and back to Milwaukee. In 1961 he was sent to Saudi Arabia where he ministered for twelve years. A couple of years after returning to the States he was assigned to Sacred Heart Church in Cassel, Wisconsin. He served there as Pastor for thirteen years. His final assignment was in Fond du Lac with the Agnesian Sisters at the Boyle Home. From there he moved to St. Fidelis Friary and lived his final years at St. Paul Home for the Elderly, Kaukauna, Wisconsin. Pius was very practical and mechanically inclined and used those talents well throughout his training and ministerial years. He became a Capuchin because he liked the life style and community life. His favorite recreation was visiting the brothers at the various houses of the Province. He loved to visit with relatives and friends in many parts of the world and states. Pius had few outside interests except to reminisce about his travels and visits with family and friends. Fr. Pius was a loyal and steady worker in the Church and in the Province. He was loved and respected by the people he served. We shall miss him dearly. He is survived by three brothers, all of whom are priests, Lucian, Carl and Claude, and five sisters, Mrs. Vivian (Lawrence) Smolke, Mrs. Virginia (Paul) Guenther, Annette (Gerald) Redmond, Dr. Mary (Pat) Kelly, Joan (Roy, Jr.) Holman, and his many Capuchin religious brothers. The Funeral Liturgy will held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 17, 2002, at ST. FIDELIS FRIARY, 1100 North Ballard Road, Appleton. A wake service will be held at the friary on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Burial will take place in St. Lawrence Cemetery at Mt. Calvary, Wisconsin, at 4:00 p.m. on Friday.

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