Rev. Msgr. Donald W. Grubisch

Reverend Monsignor Donald W. Grubisch, 91, died on Monday, January 16, 2017, at St. Elizabeth’s Health Care Center and Nursing Home in Wabasha, Minn.

He was born to Walter and Hilda (Johnson) Grubisch on January 9, 1926, in Owatonna, Minn., where he also attended school. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served in the European Theater in World War II as a member of a crew that flew B-17’s in the 8 ^th Air Force until his discharge in 1946.

Msgr. Grubisch received his degree in Philosophy from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. After attending St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., he was ordained to the Priesthood by Bishop Edward Fitzgerald on May 30, 1953.

During his active ministry, Msgr. Grubisch served the following parishes of the Winona Diocese: St. Casimir’s in Wells (1953-1955), St. Stanislaus in Winona (1955-1958 and 1969-1975), St. Bernard’s in Stewartville (1956), St. Ann’s in Janesville and St. Jarleth’s in Iosco (1958-1960), Holy Family in Lake Crystal and St. Matthew’s in Vernon Center (1960), St. Mary’s in Lake City (1960-1962), St. Joseph’s in Trimont and St. Katherine’s in Truman (1962-1967), Our Lady of Good Counsel in Wilmont (1967-1969), St. Joseph’s in Rushford and St. Mary’s in Houston (1975-1982), and Crucifixion Parish (1982-2008) and Holy Cross in Dakota (2001-2008).

Msgr. Grubisch also served as Caledonia Area Director of Priests and Parishes and as Winona Diocesan Consultor. He was appointed as Priest Representative on the Diocesan Pastoral Council by Bishop Vlanzy. He served as the Dean of the Winona Deanery, as Spiritual Director of the Caledonia Council of Catholic Women, and also served on several other Diocesan Councils and Boards. He was conferred with the Papal Honor of Monsignor on December 14, 1997.

Msgr. Grubisch was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Hilda; his sister, Dolores Fisher and her husband, Sylvester; and three young brothers. He is survived by nephews and nieces, Michael (Ronda) Fisher, Steven Fisher, Charlotte (Gregg) Radtke, David (Nancy) Fisher, Gary (Sharon) Fisher, Keith (Wendy) Fisher, Brian (Lisa) Fisher, and Terrance (Janice) Fisher; great nieces and nephews, Joshua (Colleen) Fisher, Nicole (Bill) Godbe, Timothy Radtke, Patrick Fisher, Nathaniel Fisher, Elizabeth (Robert) Fisher, Shanna Fisher, Daniel Fisher, Dakota Fisher, Makayla Fisher, Cody Fisher and Brady Fisher; and great, great nephews and nieces, Andrew and Pierce Godbe, Bryce and Hailey Fisher, Abe Book, Allie and Cyris Peterson, and Gannon Fisher.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 20 ^th , at the Church of the Crucifixion, in La Crescent. Most Rev. John Quinn, Bishop of Winona, will preside assisted by the priests of the Winona Diocese. Rev. Gregory Havel and Rev. James Berning will concelebrate and Msgr. Thomas Hargesheimer will serve as Homilist. Visitation will take place from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass on Friday at the church. A reception will follow at Crucifixion School and Msgr. Grubisch will be laid to rest next to his parents at 4:00 p.m., Friday, at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Owatonna. Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crescent is assisting the family.