Dennis Joseph Wassmuth

1947 - 2024

Monsignor Dennis Wassmuth

August 28, 1947 - December 2, 2024

Boise, Idaho - Monsignor Dennis Joseph Wassmuth went home to his heavenly Father on Dec. 2, 2004. He was living at the St. John Vianney Retirement Center for priests in northwest Boise.

He was born Aug. 28, 1947, in Cottonwood, Idaho, to Joseph and Helena Wassmuth and grew up on a farm in Greencreek, Idaho. He was the youngest of eight children, four of whom died before their first birthdays.

When Dennis was born, his parents promised God, like Hannah in 1st Samuel (1:11), that if God allowed this son to live, they would not stop him from becoming a priest if God desired that of him. God did indeed call Dennis to the priesthood.

Not knowing about his parents' promise, young Dennis entered the junior seminary when he was just 16 and left the family farm behind. Between 1962 and 1967, he completed high school and two years of college at Mt. Angel Seminary in Mt. Angel, Oregon. Between 1967 and 1973, he studied philosophy and theology, completing his seminary requirements at St. Thomas Seminary in Kenmore, Wash.

Bishop Sylvester Treinen ordained Father Dennis to the priesthood for the Diocese of Boise on May 30, 1973. He was ordained in his hometown of Greencreek in the newly rebuilt St. Anthony's Catholic Church. The previous church building had burned down during his absence.

Father Wassmuth's first assignment was to Holy Rosary Parish in Idaho Falls (now part of Pope St. John Paul II Parish), where he served from 1973 to 1976. After a brief assignment at St. Mary's in Caldwell, Father Dennis was made pastor of St. Mary's in St. Maries, Idaho, where he served until 1983. In a nine-year assignment, Father Dennis was the pastor of St. Mary's in Moscow until 1992, followed by four years as pastor of St. Anthony's Parish in Pocatello.

From 1996 to 2015, he was pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary in Boise, an assignment that lasted 19 years. Upon becoming their pastor, Father Wassmuth helped Our Lady of the Rosary Parish to build a new, larger church.

In 2002, he was also made temporary Administrator of Sacred Heart Parish in Boise and then became Sacred Heart's Moderator until 2011. It is a testament to his administrative and financial skills that Father Dennis led two parishes simultaneously. In 2009, on the Feast of Presentation of the Lord, the papal honor of Monsignor was conferred upon him at the Boise Cathedral by Bishop Michael Driscoll.

Monsignor Wassmuth served as Vicar General for Finance from 2015 until 2018. He was also chair of the priest's retirement committee from 2012 to 2018 and an ex-officio presbyteral council member from 2011. He retired in 2018.

When Monsignor Dennis took time away from ministry work, he often spent it with his sisters' families. Whether visiting their homes, taking pictures of his nieces and nephews growing up, or going on vacations with them, he was always a welcome visitor.

Vicar General Father Caleb Vogel recalled, "Monsignor Dennis was not only a long-time priest of the Diocese, but a quiet and steady presence. We could always count on him being present at any diocesan event with his kind and supportive demeanor."

Father Roger LaChance (ret.) was a tablemate with Monsignor Dennis at the St. John Vianney Retirement Center in Boise. Father LaChance noted that Monsignor was an excellent parish and financial administrator and carried those skills into his position as Vicar General for Finance. "He was a quiet and private man who loved to read and was a fan of the Boise Symphony," said Father LaChance.

Monsignor Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Lena Wassmuth; his sister, Marie Bustos; brothers-in-law, Billy Bustos, Gene Holthaus and Bernie Lindgren; four infant siblings: Florence, Edith, Victor, and James; infant niece, Mary Holthaus; great-niece and nephews: Nathan Holthaus, Jayme Lindgren and Eric Lindgren.

He is survived by his sisters, Evelyn Holthaus (Spokane, WA) and Edna Lindgren (Marshville, WI); twelve nieces and nephews, plus many great-nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.

A Vespers Service for Monsignor Wassmuth will be celebrated on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of the Rosary, Boise. His Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Boise. His burial will take place immediately following Mass at Morris Hill Cemetery. There will be a funeral dinner at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Boise. Remembrances may be left for the family at www.AccentFuneral.com. Services are under the care of Accent Funeral Home.