Rev. Lawrence Fenton

OMAHA - The Rev. Lawrence E. Fenton, 79, of Omaha died Friday, Dec. 2, 2011, at Omaha.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Omaha. Additional services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary's Cathedral in Grand Island. Principal Celebrant will be The Most Rev. William J. Dendinger with the Rev. Donald J. O'Brien and other priests of the Diocese of Grand Island concelebrating.

Burial will be in the O'Connor Cemetery at O'Connor, with a 2:30 p.m. committal service. The Greeley American Legion Post 186 will provide military rites.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at St. Mary's Cathedral, with a vigil service at 7 p.m. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.

Rev. Fenton was born Sept. 6, 1932, at Brayton, Neb. He was the son of Timothy P. and Nora (McCoy) Fenton.

Survivors of the immediate family include a brother, Joe Fenton of O'Neill; two sisters, Rita McSharry of Omaha and Theresa Welch of Chicago; a sister-In-law, Darlene Fenton of St. Paul; a brother-in-law, Dave Thomas of Norwalk, Ohio.

Others left to cherish his memory include many nieces and nephews and his special friend, Rev. Donald J. O'Brien of Cozad, and many other friends.

Rev. Fenton grew up in Brayton attending District 33 and graduated from St. Joseph's Academy at O'Connor in 1949. He farmed with his father until entering the U.S. Air Force in 1951 serving until his honorable discharge in 1955 with the rank of staff sergeant. He studied at Baylor University in Waco, Texas for two years. He attended pre-seminary Latin course at Loyola University, Chicago; then entered St. Thomas Seminary, Denver, Colo. On June 2, 1961, he received Minor Orders (Exorcist and Acolyte), and on Sept. 13, 1962, was ordained Deacon. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 28, 1963, at St. Mary's Cathedral by Bishop John L. Paschang. He was appointed assistant at St. Patrick's, North Platte. He received his certification in counseling in 1964. On June 10, 1965, he was appointed Assistant at St. Josaphat's, Loup City and Sacred Heart in Arcadia; and was a Counselor at St. Josaphat's High School. On June 18, 1966, he became Administrator of Visitation Parish at O'Connor and St. Joseph's Mission at Wolbach; also guidance counselor at Spalding Academy in Spalding and Sacred Heart High School in Greeley. He served as the Diocesan Director of Vocations from March 17, 1969 to January 1972. He became Pastor of Visitation in O'Connor on July 1, 1969. On March 8, 1973, he began his appointment at St. Mary's Hospital, Scottsbluff where he served as the DCCW moderator for Scottsbluff deanery; Board of Consultors also. On Sept. 16, 1974, he was appointed pastor of Sacred Heart, Bayard; Chaplain of St. Mary's Hospital Scottsbluff. March 1, 1977, he began serving as Pastor of Immaculate Conception, Rushville and St. Columbkille, Hay Springs. He took a leave of absence in San Diego in December 1980. On July 1, 1985, he became Associate Pastor of Blessed Sacrament, Grand Island; Chaplain for the VA Medical Center. On May 19, 1986, Administrator of Sacred Heart, Burwell, and St. Theresa's in Ericson; continuing as Associate Pastor at Blessed Sacrament in Grand Island. On Aug. 15, 1988, he assisted with parish work in Diocese of Palm Beach, Fla. Rev. Fenton retired from active ministry on July 1, 1997 and moved to Omaha.

He is welcomed into heaven by his parents, brothers, Jim and Fritz Fenton, and sisters, Mary Peterson, Margaret Joyce, Florence Moran and Madeline Thomas.

Memorials are suggested to St. Leo the Great Parish, O'Connor Cemetery, or Sacred Heart Church in Greeley.

Please sign the guestbook at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under Fr. Fenton's obituary.

Please sign the guestbook at theindependent.com/obits.