Leon S. Rausch (Father)

Leon was at his best serving the poor, whether African Americans in north Omaha or Native Americans on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota.

Let us pray in thanksgiving for the life of Fr. Leon S. Rausch SJ, who was called to eternal life on March 14, 2015. Leon died in the company of his Jesuit brothers at St. Camillus Jesuit Community in Wauwatosa, Wis. He was just shy of being 91 years old, a Jesuit for 68 years, and a priest for 55 years.

Born in New Berlin, Wis., on March 25, 1924, Leon attended grade school and high school in New Berlin and West Milwaukee. After one year at Marquette University, he entered the Society at Florissant, Mo., on August 18, 1946. He completed the usual Jesuit course of studies at St. Stanislaus Seminary, St. Louis University, and St. Mary’s College. Leon was ordained to the priesthood at the Church of the Gesu in Milwaukee, on June 16, 1959. After completing tertianship in Decatur, Ill., he professed his final vows in Omaha on August 15, 1962.

Leon had a multitude of assignments during the course of his Jesuit life. He spent his regency (1953–56) teaching at Holy Rosary Mission in Pine Ridge, S.D. After ordination, he taught for one year (1965–66) at Creighton Preparatory School in Omaha. The remainder of his long years of Jesuit service were either in parish ministry or hospital chaplaincy. He served at St. Benedict’s Parish in Omaha (1961–65 and 1979–82), St. Francis Mission on the Rosebud Reservation, S.D. (1966–74), St. Joseph’s Hospital in Omaha (1987–93), and other parishes and hospitals in Milwaukee; Anchorage; Crookston, Minn.; Des Moines, Iowa; and Gays Mills, Wis. In 1999 declining health led him to take up residence in the St. Camillus Jesuit Community in Wauwatosa, Wis., where he lived until his death.

Leon was at his best serving the poor, whether African Americans in north Omaha or Native Americans on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. He worked very hard. He was a practical man, a kind man, and a wise man. He will surely be welcomed into his Father’s house by the multitude of Christ’s brothers and sisters he served so well for so long.

Arrangements are as follows

VISITATION
6 p.m., Wednesday, March 18
St. Camillus Jesuit Community, second floor round chapel
10100 W. Bluemound Road
Wauwatosa, WI

FUNERAL MASS 
7 p.m., Wednesday, March 18
St. Camillus Jesuit Community, second floor round chapel

BURIAL
9:30 a.m., Thursday, March 19
Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 3801 W. Morgan Avenue
Milwaukee, WI