Father Clemens Hut

Hut, Father Clemens
Father Clemens Hut entered into eternal life at age 102 on July 1, 2013. Clemens Henry Hut was the only child born to loving parents Clemens T. Hut and Cornelia Junker Hut on April 9, 1911 in Evansville, Indiana. He was ordained a Catholic Priest in the Diocese of Indianapolis on June 2, 1936 at St. Meinrad in Indiana by Bishop Joseph E. Ritter. His 77 years as a Priest included assignments as Assistant Pastor to parishes in Indiana cities of Richmond and Vincennes; Pastor of St. Philip Neri in Bicknell (1945) and St. Agnes in Evansville (1948); and after moving to Arizona in 1959 he served at Pius X in Phoenix, Rose of Lima in Safford, Mother of Sorrows in Tucson when Bishop O'Brien was ordained there as a Priest, St. Jerome in Phoenix, Queen of Peace in Mesa; and Christ the King Church until he retired in 1976. In reality, Fr. Hut never retired. He was a faithful Priest who responded day or night to serve and minister to those in need at nursing homes, hospitals and private homes. In 2004 Fr. Hut had to move into an assisted living facility due to tripping over his beloved tortoise, Mr. T. He continued to serve and minister to others while living at Friendship Village in Tempe. Everyone at Friendship Village loved his smiling face as he would wheel himself throughout the three floors and garden level and at 3:00 p.m. he made his daily visits with Hospice of the Valley staff, patients and their families at the palliative care unit within the senior living facility. At a special luncheon in honor of his 99th birthday, Bishop Thomas O'Brien stated that Fr. Hut was noteworthy for this "fidelity to the Church, his service and his extraordinary love for people." He quipped, "Fr. Hut, you're almost as old as God, and that's saying something." In June 2010 Fr. Hut was honored at a luncheon in Scottsdale as the Arizona 2010 Volunteer of the Year by the Aging Services of Arizona Association. Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger of the Diocese of Evansville, Indiana stated, "It is highly unusual for any of us to receive a state award for volunteering, but to do it at age 99 is unbelievable. To do it with such joy and candor is remarkable." Fr. Hut is an Honorary Life Member of the Knights of Columbus where he obtained the 1st Degree on December 1, 1926 and the 4th Degree on April 8, 1945. Fr. Hut had a gentle smile, a soft southern drawl and smiling eyes. He was the oldest Priest within the Diocese of Phoenix and was a blessing to all. Continue to keep Fr. Hut in your prayers. Services will be held Saturday, July 6, 2013 at Queen of Peace Church 141 N. Macdonald St., Mesa in Mesa, AZ. Rosary will be at 10:00 a.m. Celebration of the Mass of the Resurrection will be at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Queen of Heaven Cemetery. 1562 E. Baseline Rd. in Mesa, Arizona. Memories and condolences may be made by visiting the online obituary guest book at www.obits.azcentral.com. Arrangements entrusted to Queen of Heaven Catholic Mortuary, Mesa, Arizona.