|
Volume 36, Number 1 |
Richardton, ND 58652 |
January 2008 |
Fr. Wilfrid Splonskowski, 1925-
By Fr. Terrence Kardong, O.S.B.
Fr. Wilfrid Splonskowski, OSB, 82, died on October 16, 2007 at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Dickinson, ND, due to complications after hip replacement surgery.
Wilfrid Splonskowski was born in Braddock, ND, on August 2, 1925, to Francis and Elizabeth (Kapperman) Splonskowski. He was born into a family of six boys and five girls. Three of the boys became monks and priests of Assumption Abbey. Three of the girls became Sisters of Mother of God Monastery in Watertown, SD.
After his elementary education, Wilfrid came to Assumption Abbey for high school. He entered the novitiate in 1945 and made vows on July 11, 1946. After completing his seminary studies he was ordained to the priesthood on May 24, 1952.
Fr. Wilfrid worked in the Abbey schools. He attended Notre Dame during the 1955-
From 1962 to 1982, he served in various parishes in the Diocese of Bismarck, including Solen and Odense, St. Stephen and St. Placidus in Stark County, and Selfridge. In addition he was chaplain at the Garrison Hospital from October 1972 to January 1973. On July 1, 1982 he returned to the Abbey. Then in 1983 he resumed pastoral work at St. Elizabeth’s, Lefor, with its mission of St. Stephen’s. Later he had Lefor, St. Thomas, Gladstone, and St. Philip’s, Hirschville. From July 1, 1995, to June 30, 1998, he was pastor of Sts. Peter & Paul Church, New Hradec with St. Philip’s, Hirschville, as a mission. On July 1, 1998, he was appointed to St. Philip’s Church, Scobey, MT, with its missions at Flaxville, Glentana and Peerless. On July 1, 2000, he was reassigned as parochial vicar to Sacred Heart Church, Miles City, MT, with residence at Sacred Heart Church in Terry, MT.
A serious injury to his leg from a fall on May 30, 2005, resulted in his being hospitalized and in rehab until August 2, 2005, when he returned to the Abbey to retire. He was content at the Abbey and his confreres enjoyed his presence.
Fr. Wilfrid is survived by two sisters, Sister Anita Splonskowski, OSB, Pierre, SD, and Rose (Ted) Riehl, Flasher, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers and three sisters.
A Vigil Service was held on Thursday, October 18, at 7:00 p.m., and a Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial was offered in the Abbey Church at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, October 19. Interment was made in the Abbey cemetery.
