Service Details
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Richard Catholic Church, located at 1503 Grand Avenue, Racine, with the Most Reverend Jerome Listecki officiating. Private interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery located at 2530 Kinzie Avenue, Racine. A visitation will be on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at St. Richard’s from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral Mass. The Mass will be livestreamed; please click on this link to view: https://www.youtube.com/live/-Oo2TcPrRpw?si=Ba832PydJL_iCfMT
Memorial Suggestions
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Father Wieland’s name to Perfect Fit Endowment, Diocese of Crookston, P.O. Box 610, Crookston, MN 56716 or to the House of Peace, 1702 W Walnut St, Milwaukee, WI 53205.
With hope in the resurrection, Reverend Dennis J. Wieland entered enteral life on January 13, 2024, at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee.
Father Wieland was born in Racine on August 22, 1952, to Loretta (nee: Dederich) and Frederick Wieland. He attended Holy Name Grade School and graduated from Washington Park High School. In 1987, Fr. Wieland began his priestly formation at Sacred Heart School of Theology and was ordained a priest in 1991 by Bishop-Emeritus Victor H. Balke of the Diocese of Crookston, Minnesota. He served several parishes in the Crookston Diocese from 1991 to 2007: St. Joseph, Moorhead; St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center, Moorhead; St. Stephen, Stephen; Assumption, Florian; St. John the Baptist, Alma; St. Rose, Argyle; St. Bernard, Thief River Falls; St. Ann, Goodridge; St. Francis Xavier, Oklee; St. Vincent, Plummer; St. Joseph, Brooks; St. Clement, Grygla; St. Mary, Two Inlets; and St. Peter, Park Rapids. In 2007, Father transferred to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and until his retirement served several parishes in the diocese: St. Anthony, Menomonee Falls; St. Stephen, Oak Creek; and St. Joseph, Wauwatosa. In retirement, Father assisted where there was a need in the area parishes and for the School Sisters of St. Francis in Milwaukee.
Father is survived by three sisters, Katherine Wieland and Maryanne Kuiper of Racine, Wis, and Eileen (Richard) Zaffiro of Franklin, Wis., and three brothers, Michael Wieland of Orlando, Fla, Desmond (Cynthia) Wieland of San Diego, Calif., and Charles (Sue) Wieland of Pine River, Wis. He is also survived by nieces and nephews. Father was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Ron Wieland.
Father had a love of animals, plants, and nature. He enjoyed taking time to spend with God’s gifts. Also, he found joy in reaching out with kindness and generosity to those who were struggling in this world.
“As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God.”
Ps 42:1-2
Fr. Duane Pribula says
Fr. Dennis served in my diocese of Crookston Minnesota and we are grateful for his generous, faith-filled ministry among the people of God. My brother and his family were blessed by his pastoral care and Sunday Masses. And so I trust and pray that Christ Jesus warmly welcomed Fr. Dennis into the glorious abode of Heaven among all the saints and angels. Thank you for being a personal presence of God’s compassion and love among us, Fr. Dennis.
Carol L. Schmitz says
Father Dennis was an immensely helpful and kind priest. My family and I got to know him quite well when he served the parish of St.Bernard in Thief River Falls, MN. My heart continues to fill with gratitude for the time, support, and faith he shared with us. What a wonderful example of a superb priest!
Pete and Sara Smith says
Fr. Dennis was an inspiration for our spiritual motivation and faith. His ubiquitous smile, guidance, and laughter will be missed. May he find eternal happiness and peace as he is with our Blessed Lord.
Julia Francis says
Fr. Dennis was such a blessing when he was at St. Bernard’s! I’ll always remember his smile & kind eyes. May his soul be at peace & his memory be forever blessed!
Candice Olson says
How sad, such an amazing man/priest. We loved him when he was our priest in Thief River Falls.
When he moved to Park Rapids we made an effort to attend mass there so we could take him out to eat and spend time with him.
God will enjoy his presence in heaven. Rest in peace dear Dennis Weiland, your time on earth was well spent caring for others.
Michael Burrows says
I was blessed to know Father Dennis during his tenure at St. Anthony the Hermit in Menomonee Falls. He was a great shepherd of this parish and and a wonderfully peaceful man. I will always remember him saying with a sigh “just another day in the Lords vineyard!” The Lord knows that I am a better man for having known him! My Heaven joyfully welcome Father Dennis and may he hear the words from our Lords mouth, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Kathy Nosbusch says
Fr Dennis was only at St Joseph’s in Wauwatosa for a short time, but he left a lasting impression not only on the parishioners but definitely on the students in our school and our parents. He was one of the most reverent priests I’ve ever met and an outstanding speaker. Definitely be missed by many … may he rest in heavenly peace. 🙏💖
Sr. Mary Jane Wagner, Director of Music at St. Joseph Chapel says
I got to know of Fr. Wieland when he was a seminarian at Sacred Heart School of Theology, through my sister, Sister Roseann Wagner, who was on the faculty there. She respected Fr. Dennis deeply, and stayed connected with him through the years. It was a gift to all of us these past few years, to have him preside at St. Joseph Chapel of the School Sisters of St. Francis. May he rest in the loving embrace of God.
Fr. Dave Super, Mahnomen, MN says
I was Vocation Director when Fr. Dennis first began his “official” journey toward priesthood. He lived at St. Bernard’s one summer as a seminarian and we ministered together all his time in the Crookston Diocese. He did wonderful ministry and had a servant’s heart, he listened with compassion, and enjoyed being a member of our presbyterate. AND he kept his “Green Bay Packers” forever before us!
May he rest in the peace of the Kingdom of God.
peace,
Fr. Dave Super
Fr. Dave Super, Mahnomen, MN says
P.S. I will offer 3 Masses in Thanksgiving for Fr. Dennis.
~ Fr. Dave Super
Greg Reesman says
Fr. Dennis will always be remembered by his special homilies during student masses at St. Anthony Parish in Menomonee Fall, WI. He put a lot of work into the messages of each one, making them special, memorable, and easy for young students to understand in a profound way. Fr. Dennis spoke with a special reverence, and he’ll remain in the hearts of so many that he touched. I’m grateful to have had him as our Parish Priest in middle school, and will always take his lessons with me!
Robyn Keller says
Fr. Dennis was in my home parish of St Peter the Apostle in Park Rapids, MN before going home to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. He was a blessing to our community. He left an impact on the life of my family and was the true definition of a servant. He will be gratefully missed on this earth.
Randy Vosters says
It was a pleasure and a privilege to have Father Dennis as our pastor at St Joseph Wauwatosa.
He was an inspirational homilist who always nudged me forward in my spiritual growth and formation. He teased me like a brother and touched the hearts of many. He will be missed.
Barbara Langkau says
He was a wonderful, holy priest. Very good with children when he was at St. Anthony’s in Menomonee Falls!May he rest in peace🙏🏼
I will miss him. God Bless you 😇
Anonymous says
Father Dennis will forever be in our Hearts and Prayers, He was our Parish priest at St. PETER the apostle church in Park Rapids Mn. We feel Blessed to have been parishioners at the time he came, He initiated bringing my husband into the Catholic faith, and we will be forever grateful. Then we became very good Friends and
Have been in touch ever since. Thank you Father Dennis, for being our Priest, Spiritual guide , counselor, and most of all Friend. And Thanks for All the memories and good times, Mike and Ann johnson
Mike and Ann Johnson says
Father Dennis will forever be in our Hearts and Prayers, He was our Parish priest at St. PETER the apostle church in Park Rapids Mn. We feel Blessed to have been parishioners at the time he came, He initiated bringing my husband into the Catholic faith, and we will be forever grateful. Then we became very good Friends and
Have been in touch ever since. Thank you Father Dennis, for being our Priest, Spiritual guide , counselor, and most of all Friend. And Thanks for All the memories and good times, Mike and Ann johnson
Judy Dupree says
Father Dennis was a very gentle, kind and caring priest. I was St. Bernard’s School Office Assistant in Thief River Falls, MN when he started his priestly duties. I’ll always remember him giving me a bouquet of flowers on Secretary Appreciation Day and a Crucifix on a chain that I wear to this day. After he had spent some time in Arizona on a retreat I met with him to discuss some family problems. At the end of our discussion he gave me a rock that he had found that he used as his prayer rock while in AZ. He told me to use it as my prayer rock. When he handed it to me it fit right ino my hand and I noticed it was quite heavy and hot. As I gazed at it I could see a pregnant Blessed Mary naturally carved into the face of the rock. I pointed it out to Father Dennis and showed it to many family members. I’m glad that I drew a picture of it as it now sits on a home-built rock shrine for Our Blessed Mother Mary outside of Thief River. He was wonderful with the students, staff and parishioners at St. Bernard’s. Doris Eisbrener, his housekeeper and I went to Park Rapids twice to visit with him. He loved pictures and carvings of wolves and the Packers. I tried to keep him up to date with our family at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. I hope he received our 2023 Christmas letter with our pictures. Father Dennis has been and will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Father Dennis, rest in the Peace of Christ.
Sincerely,
Dave and Judy Dupree
Sister Kathy Kuchar says
Father Dennis was the first pastor I had as the principal of St. Bernard’s School in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. He was wonderful to work with, and so supportive of the school and Catholic Education! Fr. Dennis was also a very holy, spirit-filled pastor who gave insightful and prayerful homilies. He will be greatly missed by many!
Elizabeth Walloch says
I was blessed to work with Fr. Dennis at St. Anthony’s in Menomonee Falls. I remember his love of birds and having numerous feeders in the backyard of the rectory.
Rest in peace, good and faithful servant of the Lord.
Todd P Landry says
I loved his short concise beautiful homilies. He was deer lover. Gave me a beautiful Holy Bible. Very soft spoken wonderful human being. I went to mass at St. Joes ever chance I could. I’ll miss him and the talks we had after mass🙏🏼
Todd P Landry says
What a beautiful human being. Wonderful short homily’s that got to the point. Gave me a beautiful Holy Bible as a gift. I’ll miss our after mass chats. Soft spoken , gentle man. He told me his favorite animal was a deer . I went to mass every chance I could just to be inspired by his words🙏🏼
Jack Casanova says
Fr Dennis will always be remembered at St Joseph parish in Wauwatosa.as a holy, kind, energetic, dedicated priest. Everyone loved him.
Lee Patel says
In his post high school years, Dennis Wieland and his sister Catherine, worked with me at a veterinary clinic in Racine. Both Dennis and Katy were quiet and friendly in demeanor, loyal, trustworthy and had an admirable work ethic. The whole Wieland family was welcoming, friendly and exceedingly generous.
It’s no surprise, then, that Fr. Dennis developed a deep faith in God and was blessed with a capability to be God’s presence to so many.
Lee Patel, DVM
Marilyn Ratke says
I was a musician at St. Anthony’s for the last 2 years Fr. Wieland was there. He was a gentle and kind man whose spirituality was evident in his presiding and preaching at Masses, especially at children’s masses. He mentioned the names of 3 students who he felt God was calling to the priesthood; I know that at least one did become a priest.
His office and other rooms looked out into a backyard sanctuary where he could watch the animals that gathered. He would put out food for the deer, which entered through an open gate bordering North Hills Country Club. At dusk I once saw about 6 deer back there and another day at dusk I saw about 9 raccoons, all enjoying the feast he provided. Now it is his turn to feast at our Lord’s table forever!
Pam Paul says
So sorry to hear of Father Dennis’s passing, he was a very kind, gentle, soft spoken soul. Our family enjoyed having him as our shepherd at Saint Anthony’s in Menomonee Falls, WI. He loved animals, nature, birds and we were able to put up a beautiful bird feeder for him to enjoy. He referred to my family as a holy family which caught me off guard as I never thought of our family as holy. He encouraged my son Quinten to be an acolyte and on one occasion QP had the second reading and accidentally read the first reading . . . When he was done Father simply said “ I guess God wanted us that hear that one twice”. Rest in Peace Father!