November 26, 1924 – Saturday, November 3, 2012
Service Information
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo, MN
Monday, November 12 2012
11:00 A.M.
Visitation Information
AT THE CHURCH
Sunday, November 11, 2012
5-8 P.M.
Father Maynard C. Kegler, OMI, age 87, of Sun City, Arizona and formerly of Buffalo passed away on Saturday, November 3, 2012 in Sun City, Arizona.
He was born on November 26, 1924 in Glencoe, Minnesota the son of Louis & Elizabeth (Artmann) Kegler.
Father Kegler attended St. Henry’s Seminary in Belleville, Illinois in September 1938 and graduated from there in 1944. He entered the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Mission, Texas. Philosophy and Theology studies continued in Ottawa, Canada where he was ordained as a Priest on January 28, 1951.
After ordination Father Kegler taught at St. Henry’s Seminary in Belleville, Illinois for four years then Parish Ministry in Veblen and Orient, South Dakota followed by years of preaching ministry at The Kings House in Belleville, Illinois and Buffalo, Minnesota. He became Superior of The Preaching Board and for seventeen years was Director of The Kings House in Buffalo and eight years as Pastor of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo. During his tenure as Pastor at St. Francis Xavier he oversaw the construction of the Resurrection Mausoleum in St. Francis Cemetery in Buffalo where he will be entombed. For a few years, while residing in Buffalo he served on the Board of Consulters of The St. Paul-Minneapolis Archdiocese as well as being a Dean and member of The Presbyteral Council of The Archdiocese. Father Kegler belonged to The Knights of Columbus Council 4th Degree # 2649.
Survived by two sisters: Monica Albers of Winsted and Benilda Greshewok of South St. Paul; a brother: Stanley (Diane
Del Giorno) Kegler of St. Paul; longtime friend: Vern E. Gren of Sun City, Arizona; many nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Louis & Elizabeth Kegler, brothers and sisters-in-law: Sylvester (Lil) Kegler and Aloysuis (Mary) Kegler and by two brothers-in-law: Norbert Albers and Paul Greshewok.
A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial for Father Maynard C. Kegler, OMI will be held on Monday, November 12, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo, Minnesota.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, November 11th from 5-8 P.M. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo, Minnesota with a Prayer service at 7:00 P.M.
In addition to flowers, memorials may be made to The Kings House of Retreats, 621 South 1st Avenue, Buffalo, Minnesota 55313 or Clare Housing, 929 Central Avenue N.E., Minneapolis, MN 55413.
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, Minnesota is serving the family.
Father Maynard is an inspiration and a model of living ones faith. His light has moved from this world but his memory shines on in those who loved him.
To the Kegler family and Mr. Vern Gren — My deepest condolences with your loss of Father Kegler. Father was a dear friend of mine and I like to think we had a special relationship. I worked for him, helped him with his banking, and was a devoted parishioner, and Father married my husband and me. I loved Father Kegler. I know he is now happy where he is, but I truly will miss him. My very sincerest sympathies to Vern and the Kegler family.
Susan and Tom Evans
A Catholic Parish Priest is a special servant of Our Lord, who has carried not only his own cross, but often helped carry the crosses of many.
Thank you Lord, for helping Father Kegler have the faith and strength to help carry these many crosses, and also, for giving Father Kegler a smile, uplifting voice, and his special unique qualities that helped many of us always feel welcome in his presence.
Thank you, Father Kegler, for allowing Our Lord to select you as one of His unique, special servants.
Your work on Earth may be done but please rest in peace, knowing, that what you have done has helped make many of these crosses less of a challenge and many who have learned from you that with faith and the assistance of Our Lord, we may all help others who need assistance carrying their cross.
To the Family of Father Kegler, thank you for sharing him with us!
I will always remember his ecumenical spirit in allowing the Buffalo Ministerial to meet at Kings House! The spirit was good and so was the food!
Fr. Kegler said his first Mass as pastor of St. Francis the same weekend that we attended our first Mass as parishiners of SFX; newly moved to Buffalo. He helped us grow in our faith as our family grew and matured. He helped us create a parish council where one didn’t exist. He helped us establish a youth ministry program where one didn’t exist. He allowed our youth to dramatize homilies and express their faith at Masses where it hadn’t been done before. He was a good, kind and spirit filled leader.
Dear Kegler family and Vern,
We are sorry for your loss and have many memories of Maynard’s involvement in the Buffalo community, especially Wright County Arts. He always made sure everything he did was top notch and 100%. His smile was always present and sincere, and it was a pleasure to have been associated with him.