Father Edmund J. Doerre

THE REVEREND EDMUND JOSEPH DOERRE

Father Edmund J. Doerre, at the age of 87, and a priest for 61 years, died on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Father Doerre was born on April 11, 1937 in La Crosse, Wisconsin, to Edmund and Emily (née Burian) Doerre.  He attended St. Wenceslaus Parish School and Holy Cross Seminary, both in La Crosse, and St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore.   He was ordained a priest on May 25, 1963 by Bishop John P. Treacy at St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral in La Crosse.

Father Doerre’s first assignment following ordination was as the Assistant Pastor at St. James the Less Parish in La Crosse.  In 1965, he was assigned as the Associate Pastor at Immaculate Conception Parish in Eau Claire.  Six months later he returned to La Crosse to teach English at Holy Cross Seminary until the seminary closed in 1971.  He then became an Associate Pastor at Holy Trinity Parish in La Crosse and taught English at Aquinas High School.

In 1981, Father Doerre was appointed as Pastor of St. Mary Parish in Coon Valley while teaching at Aquinas High School.  He continued in this assignment until 1989, when he was appointed Pastor of Holy Ghost Parish in Chippewa Falls and St. Bridget in Springfield.  He remained a strong advocate for Catholic schools and taught English and Creative Writing at McDonell Catholic High School while taking summer courses to maintain his teaching certification.  In 2008, he was appointed as Pastor of St. Bartholomew Parish in Trempealeau and St. Mary Parish in Galesville.  In 2012, he also was appointed to serve St. Bridget Parish in Ettrick, and he served these three parishes until his health required him to be granted the status of senior priest on June 1, 2015.  Father Doerre was an avid reader.  He had a keen interest in the Milwaukee Brewers and current events.

Father Doerre is survived by three brothers Francis (Geri) Doerre, James (Danita) Doerre and Thomas (Connie) Doerre, one sister Margaret (Joe) Hickey, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Edmund and Emily, and one sister Marilyn Doerre.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 29 at St. Patrick Church in Onalaska.  The Most Reverend Gerard W. Battersby, Bishop of La Crosse, will be the principal celebrant and Reverend Eugene J. Wolf will be the homilist.  Burial will follow in the family plot at Catholic Cemetery in La Crosse.

Visitation will be held at St. Patrick Church in Onalaska on Monday, July 29, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass.

The Diocese of La Crosse and the family are being assisted by Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home in La Crosse.