Obit: Hiebel, Father Charles J. (1936 – 2021)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Hiebel, Krupka, Paul, Finken

Source: Tribune-Phonograph (Abbotsford, WI) 06 Oct 2021

Hiebel, Father Charles J. (27 Sep 1936 – 2 Oct 2021)

On Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, Father Charles J. Hiebl (Colby) entered eternal life, just five days after his 85th birthday. Born Sept. 27, 1936, to George and Anna (Krupka) Hiebl, he was the fourth of eight children. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Delores; and brothers, Lawrence and Joseph. Surviving family include Anthony (Marlene), Agnes (Glen) Paul, James (Elaine), Mary (Lueder Finken) and sister-in-law, Illa Hiebl. Additionally, he is survived by cousins, nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Father Hiebl, born in Marathon County, Town of Johnson, lived and worked on the family farm. He received his elementary education in the Corinth school, a one-room school two-and-one half miles from home. Walking or biking to school most of the time was routine.

He entered Holy Cross Seminary in La Crosse in the fall of 1950. Graduating from Holy Cross, he then entered the theological seminary, Loras College, in Dubuque, Iowa. It was while at Loras, that he developed his love for Amtrak trains since that was his mode of transportation from Dubuque to home. That love continued for years. During summers, it was common for him head west to Montana on Amtrak for rest and retreat. Just within three weeks of his passing, he still recalled those trips.

After four years at the theological seminary, he was ordained a priest on May 19, 1962, at St. Joseph Cathedral in La Crosse and celebrated his first mass May 20 at his home parish, St. Thomas, Milan. Just weeks after his ordination, he already performed priestly duties as celebrant at his cousin’s wedding.

The value of working for a common good and contributing his part to it came early in life as he worked on the family farm doing chores and working within the family. While on summer breaks back home, he worked in a pea vinery in Athens. A work ethic was engrained in from a young age and pervaded his diocesan assignments. Somewhere along the way, he became a lover of classical music and public radio, perhaps much to the chagrin of his younger brothers and sisters who endured it while riding with him. Also, sometime in life he became interested in cooking, perhaps out of necessity (or his wonderful independent spirit) when parishes had no housekeeper. He pursued that interest, talked about recipes, and welcomed new ideas that he could experiment with. He loved carving the turkey at family events, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. It was common for him to contribute a homemade specialty to family reunions and gatherings.

While pastor at St. Anthony’s in Athens, he displayed his knack for gardening by planting a garden of colorful annuals at the entrance to the church. It popped with color.

Father Hiebl’s assignments as a pastor in the LaCrosse diocese were numerous and far reaching. His first assignment was as an assistant at St. Joseph parish in Stevens Point in 1962. His last was in Athens and Milan, his home parish, from 2000-2013.

In 2013, he was granted the status of a Senior Priest. He continued to help out extensively in Clark and Marathon counties with residence at St. Bernard Rectory in Abbotsford. He later moved to The Waterford at Colby where he passed away.

Visitation will be at St. Anthony’s in Athens on Friday, Oct. 8, from 4-8 p.m. and on Saturday, Oct. 9, from 9-10:45 a.m. Mass will begin at 11 a.m. with burial to follow at St. Thomas cemetery in Milan.

Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.