Rev. Mathias C. Kiemen

Kiemen, Rev. - Mathias C., OFM Age 88, Of Sherman, IL Formerly of St. Paul Passed away peacefully on January 28, 2005, in the Loretto Nursing Home, Springfield, IL, following a 6-month bout with lung cancer. He had been retired since 2000 in the Franciscan Friars' assisted living wing at Villa Health Care West (Our Lady of the Angels Friary) in Sherman, IL. Born on January 10, 1917, in Chippewa Falls, WI, to Peter J. and Marie (Albers) Kiemen, the younger of two children, he attended and graduated from St. Bernard's Grade School St. Paul. Fr. Matt was invested as a Franciscan in the St. Louis-Chicago Province of the Sacred Heart, August 17, 1936, and ordained June 24, 1943. He received a PhD in Latin American History in 1954 from the Catholic University of America. He was then assigned as a professor at the Academy of American Franciscan History in Washington, DC, where he served from 1951 to 1985, including many years as editor of the Academy's publication, The Americas. He was also a professor in the History Dept. at Georgetown University, 1954-1966. He spent the last ten years of his priestly ministry semi-retired at Holy Childhood Parish, Harbor Springs, MI. He retired to St. Maximilian Kolbe Friary in Crowley, TX, in 1995, where he stayed until failing health required a move to Villa West. Survivors include his Franciscan family, his nephew Bob (wife Betty) Horwath of Springfield, IL; and their children and grandchildren; his cousin David McCaffrey of St. Paul; special friends Alex and Lucille (Senty) Adams of Rochester, MN, Dolores (Senty) Blenkush of South St. Paul, and Dan and Patricia O'Leary of West St. Paul, and other relatives and friends. A private funeral service was held at VILLA WEST on January 31, 2005.