Reverend William M. Kuhr

With faith in the Resurrection of our Lord, we offer our prayers for Reverend William M. Kuhr, who entered eternal life on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at the age of 84.

Father Kuhr was born in Neenah, WI, on July 23, 1941, the oldest of seven children of Roy and Virginia (Letter) Kuhr. He attended high school and junior college at Sacred Heart Seminary in Oneida. He received a B.A. in Philosophy at St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee in 1963. Five years later in 1967, he received his B.A. in Theology at St. Francis Seminary. On May 27, 1967, Father Kuhr was ordained at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral by Bishop John Grellinger.

Father William "Bill" Kuhr began his ministry at St. Bernadette Parish in Appleton, first serving as Assistant and later as Administrator. In 1971, he was appointed Associate Pastor-later Parochial Vicar-at Holy Innocents Church in Manitowoc. From 1973 to 1978, he served as the Diocesan Director of Vocations. In 1978, Father Kuhr was appointed Temporary Administrator of St. Anthony Parish in Niagara, followed by a similar role at St. Patrick Parish in Menasha in 1979. He was then appointed Pastor of Most Precious Blood Parish in New London, serving until 1987 when he became Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Appleton where he stayed for 11 years.

In 1998, Father Kuhr was appointed Administrator, and later Pastor, of St. Mary Parish in Algoma. During this time, he also served as Temporary Administrator for Holy Trinity Parish in Casco/Slovan and Holy Rosary Parish in Kewaunee. In 2002, he was appointed Pastor of Holy Rosary Parish, Kewaunee, in addition to his role at St. Mary. In 2005, Fr. Kuhr was appointed pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish, Neenah. In 2007, Fr. Kuhr was appointed Chaplain to the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother at Franciscan Court in Oshkosh. Fr. Kuhr received senior status in 2011.

Father Kuhr loved his vocation as a priest. He was grateful for the opportunity to journey with the faithful, discovering and celebrating the Lord's presence in the life of the Church. Whether through the Mass, the Sacraments, sacramentals, devotion to the Blessed Mother and the Saints, or the quiet witness of lives lived in faith, Father Bill found joy in every aspect. This shared experience was, for him, the most cherished gift of his ordained priesthood.

Fr. Bill will be tremendously missed by his brothers: Mike (Carolyn) Kuhr and Dick Kuhr; his sisters: Mary (Mike) Brown, Cathy (Ron) Wilhite, Patti (Mike) Nielsen; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He is preceded in death by parents: Virginia & Roy Kuhr; sister, Barbara Kuhr; and nephew, Matt Nielsen.

The family wishes to thank the Diocese of Green Bay, Diocesan Nurse Gloria Koth, and the staff of St. Paul Elder Care in Kaukauna.

Visitation will be held at St. Margaret Mary Church, 620 Division Street, Neenah, on Thursday, August 21st from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, with a concluding prayer service at 6:30pm. Visitation will then continue at the church on Friday August 22nd from 9:00AM until the time of the Funeral Liturgy.

The Funeral Liturgy, expressing our faith in the promised glory of the Lord's Resurrection, will be at St. Margaret Mary, Neenah, at 11:00AM with Most Reverend David L. Ricken as Celebrant and Fr. Timothy Shillcox O. Praem as homilist. Burial will follow at 2:00PM in St. Margaret Cemetery, Neenah.