Father Donald F. Wilger

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Father Donald F. Wilger, at the age of 76 and a priest for 51 years, died on Tuesday evening, July 22, 2008, at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, S.C.

Father Wilger was born on Dec. 18, 1931, in Athens, Wis. to Joseph and Cecilia (née Schiepek) Wilger. He attended Saint Mary's Elementary School in Marathon, Salvatorian Seminary in St. Nazianz, Saint Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. and Marquette University in Milwaukee. He was ordained on May 18, 1957, at Christ the King Chapel at Holy Cross Seminary in La Crosse, by the Most Reverend John P. Treacy.

Father Wilger's first assignment was an assistant pastor of Saint John the Baptist Parish at Marshfield. On Sept. 2, 1959, he was assigned to be a part-time instructor at Columbus High School, while continuing in his assignment at Saint John the Baptist Parish.  In 1962, he was assigned as a full-time instructor at Aquinas High School with residence at Saint Wenceslaus Rectory, both in La Crosse. On June 30, 1964, Father Wilger was appointed as assistant pastor of Saint Thomas More Parish at La Crosse. In 1966, he was then assigned as assistant pastor of Saint Stephen Parish in Stevens Point and in 1967 he was assigned as assistant pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Wisconsin Rapids.

Father Wilger was then appointed as administrator of Sacred Heart Parish at Jim Falls in 1968. On April 5, 1972, he was assigned as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Nekoosa. He was then assigned to Saint John the Baptist Parish at Marshfield as associate pastor from 1980 to 1982, then as pastor from 1982 to 1986. Father Wilger was assigned as pastor of Saint Joseph Parish in Galloway in 1986 and in 1987, he was also appointed pastor of Saint John the Baptist Parish at Peplin.  On Jan. 3, 1989, he was assigned as chaplain at Saint Joseph Hospital at Marshfield, where he served until he was granted the status of senior priest of the Diocese of La Crosse on Dec. 3, 2001. Father Wilger had been residing in Murrells Inlet, S.C., during his retirement and assisting at parishes in the Diocese of Charleston.

Father Wilger is survived by: his brothers and sisters, Earl Wilger of Mesa, Ariz.; Ambrose (Geraldine) Wilger of Cedarburg; Thomas (Carol) Wilger of Green Bay; James (Mary) Wilger of Wausau; Dolores (Merlin) Baur of Mosinee; Marilyn (Alex) Brezezinski of Indianapolis, Ind.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Father Wilger was preceded in death by: his parents; one brother Raymond; and a sister Helen Wilger.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 28 at Saint John the Baptist Church in Marshfield. Bishop Jerome E. Listecki will be the main celebrant. Burial will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Marshfield with nephews serving as the pallbearers.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 27 at Saint John the Baptist Church in Marshfield and from 9:30 a.m. until time of the services on Monday, July 28 at the church.  There will be a Knights of Columbus rosary service combined with the parish at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the church. Prayer from the Office of the dead will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday at the church. The 4th Degree Father John Eisen Assembly # 1219 will form a guard of honor at the church from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Sunday and again on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until time of the services.

The Diocese of La Crosse and the family are being assisted by the Rembs Funeral Home in Marshfield.

Members of the Purgatorial Society are requested to offer three Masses for the repose of the soul of Father Wilger.  Requiescat in pace! 

Condolences may be sent online to http://www.rembsfh.com">www.rembsfh.com.