This special edition of the Gazette is for the memory of Fr. George
Daniel Lommel
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"Profanity makes ignorance audible."
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L O C A L news & stuff,.. mostly stuff.
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I think I mentioned that I "probably" wouldn't be sending out another
Gazette until next year. As you can see, I changed my mind. I did that
for two reasons actually. First, to share Fr. Lommel's obituary along
with a few of the comments I have received upon his death.
The second reason is to share a message sent by Cindy Shininger about
a 23 year old girl that died in a automobile accident.
Kathee wrote: I am saddened to receive the news of the death of Fr.
Lommel. He and my mother were great friends. He took such good care of
us spiritually. And I remember one fun trip to Winnipeg with my dad and
Fr. Lommel for the horse races. He was a tobacco chewer and asked me to
keep his tobacco can in my purse. It seemed an odd request, but how
could I refuse?
Can you image all his former parishioners fussing over him upon his
arrival in heaven?
Tom wrote: God Bless Fr. Lommel..... a great man!!!
John wrote: Can you steer me in the direction of Father Lommel's
obit? He was our Chaplain when I was in the Guard in Grafton. I'd like
to spread the word throughout our Guard Family. Thanks.
Then Cindy shared the following message which I believe has a very
special meaning for all of us.
Hi Gary,
Happy New Year to you and your family. The boys were on the road, I
believe, by 6 this a.m. cookies and computer in tow. Hopefully we didn't
forget anything important since we were to worried about cookies! Off
that note, I attended a funeral of a young 23 year old girl yesterday.
(She died from an auto accident.) At the cemetery the pastor read "The
Dash". It was right to the point for the hundreds of people there who
witnessed her parents bury their child. She lived a great and full
filling life in the short time she was here. I can only hope all the
young kids take that poem to heart. Life may be short, so live it to the
fullest and with dignity and honesty. Have a good visit and the guys
expect to be there around 11a.m. New Years Day.
The proud spouse of one of those boys.
Cindy <<<<
Thanks a million cindy, for caring and sharing. I know everyone would
agree, Fr. Lommels dash goes from here....... to eternity.
Fr. George Lommel
(September 17, 1920 - December 30, 2008)
Fr. George Lommel, 88, of Grafton, North Dakota died Tuesday, December
30, 2008 at the Lutheran Sunset Home in Grafton.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 am, Wednesday, January 7, 2008 at
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Grafton. Interment will be in
the Calvary Cemetery in Lidgerwood, North Dakota.
Visitation will be held at St. John's Church on Tuesday from 4:00 pm
until 5:00 pm with a Prayer Service at 7:00 pm. There will also be
visitation for two hours prior to the funeral at the church.
George Daniel Lommel was born September 17, 1920 in Lidgerwood, North
Dakota the first child of five born to Francis "Frank" and Margaret
(Lynch) Lommel. He was raised there graduating from Lidgerwood High
School in 1937. He then attended St. John's University in Collegeville,
MN and then went on to St. Thomas Seminary in Denver, CO. On June 1,
1946 he was ordained a Catholic Priest in Lidgerwood by then Bishop
Aloisius Muench. Over the years Father Lommel has had many assignments
in the Diocese of Fargo. In 1946 he served as a Temporary Substitute at
Sts. Peter and Paul's Parish in Mantador, ND and later that year he
served as the a Secretary in the Chancery Office in Fargo, ND until
August of 1947. He then began serving as the Assistant Pastor at St.
John's Parish in Wahpeton, ND. In July of 1951 he became Pastor of St.
Paul's Parish serving Tappen and Steele, ND and Our Lady of the Lake
Parish in Lake Williams, ND. With parishioners he built a new church in
Steele. He served there until 1959 when he was appointed to St.
Augustine's Parish in Fessenden, ND, where he was Pastor for ten years.
In 1969 he was appointed Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in
Grafton, ND where he served for fifteen years. In 1979 Fr. George was
selected "Outstanding Citizen" and presented with the Citizen
Achievement Award by the Grafton Chamber of Commerce. His next
assignment brought him to St. Edward's Parish in Drayton, ND and
Assumption Parish in Pembina in 1984. He served there until 1991 when he
became sole Pastor at Assumption Parish. Fr. Lommel was instrumental in
building the new St. Edward's Church while serving in Drayton. He
retired in 1995, just short of 50 years in active priesthood with the
Fargo Diocese. Over the years Father Lommel also served on the Board of
Consultors, Pastoral Council, Apostolic Council, Knights of Columbus
Chaplain, and Dean of Deanery 4. While serving his parishes as their
priest, Fr. Lommel also served in the National Guard as a Military
Chaplain for 27 years. In 1980 he retired from the National Guard with
the rank of Major. After his retirement he moved to Grafton and later
became a resident of the Lutheran Sunset Home.
Fr. George made many friends at every parish he served and spoke often
of the good people in his parish, especially the youth. He thoroughly
enjoyed his work as a Priest and also working as Chaplain to the "boys"
in the guard. He often gratefully thanked God for his good health which
enabled him to have so many good years. He had a great sense of humor,
was gifted with a good memory and loved to entertain his friends and
family. He enjoyed traveling, hunting and fishing, good music, good
restaurants, and athletic events of all kinds; and was known to be
exceptionally lucky at horse races and casinos.
Fr. Lommel is survived by his sister, Mary Collins of Indianapolis, IN
and sister-in-law: Marjorie Lommel of Herman, MN. Many nieces, nephews
and cousins also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents;
brothers, Robert and John and sister, Rose Ellen Lavasseur.
Father Lommel's family would like to extend a heartfelt "Thank you" to
all of his friends who have so graciously helped him throughout the
years; and to the staff at Lutheran Sunset Home in Grafton for their
loving care. He will be missed by many, but welcomed by our Lord, and a
host of family and friends in heaven.
The Bilden Funeral Home of Northwood is assisting the family with
arrangements.
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GOTTA GO WORK ON MY DASH
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"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those who mind don't
matter.... and those who matter don't mind."
Or so it seems to me
Write if you can, call if you can't, and, tell your loved ones they
are,..... before it's too late.
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