MADISON-WAUNAKEE-DICKEYVILLE - Monsignor Elmer J. Dietzel, 82, died unexpectedly Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009, at his residence.

He was born March 30, 1927, in Dickeyville, a son of Alphonse and Myra Splinter Dietzel. He was raised in Dickeyville and attended Holy Ghost Grade School; graduated from Salvatorian High School and seminary in St. Nazianz; and graduated seminary from St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee.

He was ordained by Bishop William P. O'Connor on May 26, 1951, at St. Raphael's Cathedral in Madison, and celebrated his first Mass at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Dickeyville.

Over the years Dietzel served many parishes, some of which include St. John's in Patch Grove, St. Lawrence in Mount Hope and Immaculate Conception in Kieler. He served St. John the Baptist in Waunakee from 1969 until 1994. He then served St. Rose of Lima in Brodhead and with Mission of St. Patrick in Albany, retiring June 12, 2002.

Dietzel loved to travel and especially loved playing cards, almost any kind of cards. In his younger years he was an excellent bowler. He also enjoyed playing golf.

He will be dearly missed by his family, including four sisters, Celina Hesseling of Dickeyville, Bernice Canavan of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Elaine (Don) Deiter of Dubuque, Iowa, and Mary Ann Carman of Portage; a brother, Vincent Dietzel, of Davenport, Iowa; many nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and -nephews; and many friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Luella Deiter, and a brother, Donald Dietzel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Dickeyville, with the Most Rev. Robert C. Morlino celebrating the Mass. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Before the Mass, friends may call at the church, following the morning Mass, after 9:15 a.m. A visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. today at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 209 South St., Waunakee.

In lieu of flowers, please have Masses said at your local parishes.

Dietzel's family would like to thank the many friends who have been with him over the years and especially many heartfelt thank-yous to the priests and staff at the Bishop O'Connor Center for their friendship, care and love that they gave to our brother, Monsignor Dietzel, over these past years.

Winn-Cress Funeral Home of Waunakee is assisting the family.