Obit: Diers, Father Hugo (1904 – 1969)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Diers, Freking, O'Connor, Wozniak, Hodnik

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 24 Jul 1969

Diers, Father Hugo (15 OCT 1904 – JUL 1969)

Funeral services for Father Hugo Diers, 64, who was living in semi-retirement at Athens, were held Monday at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Athens.

Bishop Frederick Freking of the La Crosse Diocese officiated at the services.

Father Diers has served several parishes in the area, and during July was at St. Bernard's Catholic Church at Abbotsford (Clark Co., Wis.), in the absence of the pastor, Father Emil Hodnik.

Father Diers had taken his own life, according to a ruling by Marathon County Coroner William O'Connor. He was found at his home Friday with a .22 rifle as his side.

Father Diers was born October 15, 1904 at New Vienna, Iowa. He studied for the priesthood at Salvatorian College, St. Nazianz, Wisconsin, and at St. John's College at Collegeville, Minnesota.

Except for a 10 year tour of duty as an Army chaplain, he served various parishes in the La Crosse diocese. The last was at Bakerville.

Surviving are four brothers, Alphonse and Martin of Marshfield, Leo of Athens, Anthony of Edgar, and a sister, Mrs. Leonard Wozniak of Athens.