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James Krings Obituary
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Kevin O'Toole
July 21, 2009
Dear Annie, Jimmy, Meghan, and Matt. My deepest condolences on the death and loss of Fr. Jim. Jim came to embrace his priestly ministry to the sick, dying, the poor, and a fierce adovcate for justice. He will be greatly missed, and may his spirit and grace continue in all of us. I'll always cherish our times chatting over a good London gin. Best wishes.
Mark Schulte
July 16, 2009
I knew Jim from my time at St. Cronan's. As I was seeking some entry back into our Catholic Church, his wisdom and grace and humanity gave me hope and promise.
We became close for some time, as crises emerged in our Parish, and in our lives.
He was a loving and generous soul, a deep and rich spirit, and a model for a practice of faith.
I was blessed to know him.
peace and hope,
Lois Banning
July 13, 2009
Annie, I just heard about Jim's death. Our loss is heaven's gain. I have known Jim at least 50 years and what a character he was. But I don't have to tell you that. He sang at our wedding and baptized both of my boys who are now 36 and 37 years old. God bless. Lois (Trebilcock) Banning
Mary (Lawlor) Baker
July 12, 2009
Fr. Krings was my religion teacher and led us on a retreat during my senior year at Bishop DuBourg - what a life changing experience! I met him again a few years later at St. Mary's Health Center when my father was in the ICU and he prayed for my father and with our family - again what a life changing experience. He touched more lives than he ever realized and did this by simply serving God and living his life to the fullest. He was truly an inspiration.
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Cathy (Schmidt) Gebhardt
July 10, 2009
Annie, Mom just called and told me of Fr. Jim's death. I am so sorry for your loss, but am glad his suffering is now over and he can now be at peace. My fondest memories are of him walking down the road to go fishing at Mineral Lake. What good times we had as kids together and our family always looked forward to our vacation with your family. Even though we are separated by many miles, I think of you and those good times often.
Jan Streib
July 8, 2009
Fr. Jim was a good friend of my family, and we've known him for years! He was there for us at St. Joe's hospital when my husband was dying of leukemia and was such a comfort to us during those difficult hours!
His memorial mass last week was befitting! I saw Fr. Samson the following Sunday at mass and mentioned to him that heaven was a little brighter now with Jim there, and Fr. Samson said..."Also a little crazier"!!! He knew him well!
I'm so happy for Fr. Jim that he is now out of his earthly misery and whole again in heaven, yet, so sorry for all of us left behind, especially his family, who have to continue on without him! His faith and inspiration will carry us on, though! I feel privileged to have known him.
Jan Streib,Shrewsbury,Mo.
Jennifer Cobb Krpan
July 5, 2009
Father Jim was a friend to my husband & I through St. Joe's in Kirkwood and attended our wedding, leading a prayer at the reception; what a wonderful person! I feel so blessed to have known him and his amazing spirit! Your family will be in our prayers.
Jennifer Cobb Krpan
July 5, 2009
Thank you Fr. Krings for coming to bless my home 2 years ago. I was afraid to live by myself but after you blessed it I felt safer because you helped bring the Holy Spirit's presence into my home. God bless your family and loved ones.
Barbara Prosser
July 4, 2009
Memories of Jim...cooking every Wed night at the Catholic Worker and celebrating mass with the community; demonstrating how this church could look through new eyes; Hearing of his love (and occasional frustration) with his family: my love of his family and appreciation for the gift of being able to know themin so many arenas; drinking Schlafly beer while ruminating on Cardinals and Billikens; large laugh at the corniest of jokes; ministering to our family in first & last moments; Full life!
Pat & Sue Fleming
July 2, 2009
Dear Annie, Jim, Meghan and Matt, We just heard this morning (7/2) of Jim's death. We are with you in your sorrow and grief. Jim was a great brother, and uncle to you, and a great friend, mentor and inspiration to us. He was a great soul. We will dearly miss his wonderful earthy laughter, gutsy spirit, his lust for life, and his passion for truth and freeing us all from false burdens and injustice. Jim was/is a great soul whose spirit will abide with us forever. Our prayers and love are with you.
Jim and Diana Oleskevich
July 2, 2009
Annie dear - what a bro! We so miss our dear friend of 34+ years - his laughter and love of God - and he saw God everywhere! No "boring"in his life. Truly you said it - and we can't quite imagine the world without him either. We remember the bike rides and dinners, teasing our children and us too. He'd want every week to be talking about "what would you preach on this Sunday?" so that we'd look up the readings and be familiar with them with him - what an inspiration! We met Jim on a Marriage Encounter team training in '75 - oh my, we were all so young! It was love at first sight and still the love goes on. He watched the kiddos grow up, witnessed the marriage of both girls, baptized 5 of our grandchildren, - oh the parties to share and celebrate LIFE!! We are taking Bp Herman's words to heart and reflecting on how he challenged and loved us, and passing it on - to keep his light shining in our hearts. Blessings and deep comfort to you these days of raw grief. Love, Diana and Jim Oleskevich - Tammy, Katie, Darin and Adam
July 1, 2009
Sending heartfelt sympathy to Jim's family. My twin brother John and I were classmates of Jim at St Joan of Arc. We played with Jim at the family home many times. So sorry to hear of his death. Hold on to your wonderful memories of Jim.
Jane (Froning) McNassar
Seattle
Fr. David Novak
July 1, 2009
Dear Family & Friends,
Some years ago, when I was in a stationary store (before most went out of business and were replaced by Office Depot, Office Max and Staples), I saw and purchased an "ink stamp" which I sometimes imprint on back of special letters to people who have touched my life.
It says:
"Some people come into our
lives and quickly go
Some stay for a while
leaving footprints on our hearts ....
And we are forever changed"
My own heart was forever changed last night.
It was very evident at the Memorial Mass last night at St. Joseph Church that many hearts were changed forever by Fr. Jim"s words and actions.
Rev. David Novak
Jill & Tom Barry
July 1, 2009
Ann
Our prayers are with you and your family. Jim had such great spirit, passion for scripture and intelligence. That he will be missed is truly an understatement.
"Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy." Author Unknown
Matt Ryan
July 1, 2009
My sympathies to the family and friends of Fr. Krings. I knew him through the St. Joe Manchester faith community, and I know his dedication, humor and energy will be missed by all those whose lives he's touched.
John Froning
June 30, 2009
Ann:
I'm sure you don't remember me but my twin sister and I were class mates of Jim's at St. Joan of Arc and Jim and I went to St. Louis Prep Seminary together. My cousin in St. Louis told me about Jim's death. I visited with him about 10 years ago in St. Louis when I was up there to see my mother and we had a wonderful visit telling stories and remembering classmates and times together. I was ordained a Permanent Deacon a few years ago and sent Jim a note to let him know that those years in the seminary weren't wasted and got a note back from him that I have treasured. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. May the God of Infinite Love and Mercy comfort and strengthen you today and all the days ahead.
Dennis and Faith Mauro-Huse
June 30, 2009
Unfortunately there can be only one Jim. What a spectacular combination of genius and goofiness!
We shall miss:
His inordinate love for the Word of God.
His ability to translate that Word for those of us with simpler minds.
His keen knack for cutting through doctrine to challenge us with God's call to action.
His deep capacity to empathize with the person in pain.
His uninhibited belly laugh.
His profound appreciation for the beauty of nature, the macro and the micro in the universe.
His extraordinary love for his family and his occasional frustration with them.
His incomparable embrace of his disease and his mighty faith in God's will and goodness.
Annie, we have been privileged to know you, your brother, and your family. We hold all of you prayerfully in our hearts.
Kelly Apollo
June 30, 2009
Sometimes in life, God answers prayers when you least expect it. That is what Fr. Krings was to our family: God's answer to prayers. His support, caring, open heart and ear, and life example of living in the Spirit were a blessing for us.
Words cannot express how much his support meant to us after we lost our baby. His ministry to our family was so self-less.
Fr. Jim reached out to us and shared his own struggles and life experiences so freely about his brother. He helped us to see that our daughter's struggles with cerebral palsy are more about the world's struggles with acceptance... not ours. He made the Father so real for us... it has forever changed us.
It is so rare in this life to meet someone so filled with the Holy Spirit... Fr. Jim Krings made the world a better place. Thank you to God for His gift of him.
Our prayers and sincere wishes for comfort for those loved ones that will miss him. We wish that we were still in St. Louis to come celebrate his life with all those touched by him.
Scott and Kristen Yackey
June 30, 2009
We are saddened to hear of Father Jim's passing. He performed our marriage ceremony two years ago and gave a beautiful homily that will always stay with us. He was a wonderful and inspirational person and will truly be missed.
June 30, 2009
Annie,
I am sorry to hear about the loss of your brother...found out from friends in St. Louis. May your memories bring you comfort and may you always rejoice in his life, well lived.
Donna Ruzicka Altepeter
Oshkosh, WI
Steve Paul
June 30, 2009
Annie,
There are only a few people that I can say instilled in me a greater and deeper faith, a more mature faith in God, by not only his words, but by example and actions as well. Your brother Jim was that for me. I remember the first time I met him in the rectory at St. John, a young, alive shepherd, proclaiming the Good News to anyone who would hear. I learned from him that I could me a man of God in any vocation, not just the priesthood; but it was important to always be a person of service to God's people. I haven't kept up with Jim lately, but he has always been in my thoughts and prayers. He has finished the race, and has fought the good fight. And even now, after he has left this world, he continues to be of service. What a great person. I am priviledged to have known him and the rest of your family.
P.S.
One of the other people is Tom Santen. That must have been a rockin' rectory.
Mike Arent
June 30, 2009
Fr. Krings was my religion teacher at St. John's in 1973. WE ALL LOVED HIM! He presided over my father's funeral mass in 1976 and was able to bring levity to our situation by pointing out that "Val Arent sat about two-thirds of the way back on the left side of the church" during the homily. He then smiled, knowing he had brought us relief with his humor. I told him he was my favorite priest, and he always will be.
Luis Ortiz
June 30, 2009
My condolences to Father Krings’ family. I knew Father Krings through the Kirkwood-Webster YMCA and will always appreciate his leadership and kindness.
Mary Jo Williams
June 30, 2009
My smpathy to Ann and family. Fr. Krings was an incredible individual. My most favorite memories are attending Mass at the chapel at St. Mary's Health Center. He was never afraid to share any emotions that came up during the readings and his homilies. He was a most gentle spirit that will be missed greatly. But I know now we have another advocate for us on the other side.
Much love,
Carol Luebbert-Laupp
June 30, 2009
Annie, our prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. I can remember back to our St. Joan of Arc years when Jimmy had to be the cutest patrol boy at school. Your family were such loving friends to my family. I had the pleasure of being inspired & entertained by Jimmy during his years with St. Joseph Hospital in Kirkwood. As we watched him endure his battle with cancer all those years, we stormed the heavens with prayers that God would help him ease the pain of this dreadful disease. May he rest in peace in the arms of our Lord.
The Schildknecht's
June 29, 2009
We were the first marriage that Father Krings ever performed. It was at St. John the Baptist in 1971. He forgot one part of the ceremony but he assured us that we were really married. He was laughing heartly about it. He was a wonderful priest. He is in our prayers.
Kim Smith
June 29, 2009
Annie, so sorry to hear about Jimmy! I will always remember him sitting on your front porch as our kids played together! You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Kim Smith & Family
St. Charles, MO
Cathy Modde
June 29, 2009
Thinking of Jim makes me grin ear to ear. He enriched this world with love and hope! Peace and healing to all who are already missing him deeply.
Ann Austin
June 29, 2009
Father Jim Krings was such a huge presence and influence to the mission and ministry of SSM Healthcare - St. Louis. To so many employees and patients who he touched with his open, unassuming, and genuine heart, he will be sorely missed. Most of all, hearing his laughter resonate down the hospital halls - his joyful spirit will always be with us! Jim put a smile on our faces in life and has left a smile on our hearts as he walks with God.
Debbie Marsh
June 29, 2009
Father Krings was a strong man of faith and physical courage. His fight with cancer did not dampen his spirit. He will be sorely missed. He touched so many people with his enthusiasm and faith.
Tom Brouster
June 29, 2009
Jim was a man with a kind heart and a humble spirit. He was a good friend and will be missed.
Brad Gift
June 29, 2009
Jim was a terrific volunteer for the Kirkwood-Webster YMCA. He truly embodied the "spirit" of the Y organziation and his leadership will be missed.
Brad Gift
YMCA Volunteer
Pat and Mary Beth Sullivan
June 28, 2009
Jim performed one of his first marriage ceremonies in 1972 when he presided over our marriage at St. John the Baptist. We are deeply sorry to hear of Jim's passing after he fought for so long. He has left a rich legacy and will be missed.
Maggie Moriarity Flynn
June 28, 2009
A wonderful priest. It was an honor to work with him on the Search program many years ago. He touched many lives and will be greatly missed. My thoughts are prayers are with his family.
Delores Blount
June 28, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
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