Deacon William Erpenbach Jr.

Deacon William L. (Bill) Erpenbach Jr., age 91 of Faribault, MN died on Thursday, August 6, 2020.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive, Faribault.  Interment will be at the Calvary Cemetery, Faribault.

Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault on Friday, August 14, 2020 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.  There will be no reviewal at the church prior to the Funeral Mass.

The service will also be live-streamed through a link found on Bill’s obituary page at www.parkerkohlfuneralhome.com.

Memorials may be directed to Divine Mercy Catholic Church, Bethlehem Academy, Divine Mercy Catholic School, or the donor’s choice.

Arrangements are being completed by the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory in Faribault.

William (Bill), the son of William L. Erpenbach and Ellen (Howie) Erpenbach, was born March 12, 1929 in Sioux Falls, SD.  He was raised in Albert Lea, MN where he graduated from high school in 1948.  He attended Mankato State College, and over a period of years earned a B.A., B.S., and M.S. degree.  He served two years in the Army, 1953-1955.  He was stationed at Fort Ord, California in the Finance Office.

Bill was united in marriage to Mary Loretta O’Neil on May 15, 1954 in Rochester, MN.  They had 5 children, Joan, Michael, Peter, Robert, and Teresa.  Bill taught school, was self-employed, and held various management positions in the manufacturing industry.  Bill was also a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1955 and served as Chaplin of the local Council 889 for several years.  He was involved in education by serving on the school board at Bethlehem Academy and the Archdiocese.

On September 29, 1984 Bill was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate for the Diocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis by the late Archbishop John Roach.  Over the years Mary assisted him in some of his diaconal duties.  Besides his parish duties, Bill also was a spiritual director for several Cursillo Retreats.

Bill is survived by his children: Joan E. Erpenbach of Bloomington, MN, Michael (Kari) Erpenbach of Oakdale, MN, Peter Erpenbach of Edina, MN and Teresa (John) Rosenthal of Eagan, MN.  Other survivors are daughter-in-law Susan Erpenbach of Faribault, and grandchildren Mackenzie Erpenbach, Alex (Amanda) Weidling, Adam (Sophia) Weidling, Andrea (Andrew) Helgeson, Bryan (Samantha) Olson, and Michael Olson (fiancé Tori Rudolph).  Also great grandchildren Ava and Adalyn Helgeson, and Avery Weidling, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, wife Mary in 2005, son Robert in 2017, and sister Joan K. Erpenbach in 2014.