Aug. 7, 1935-Jan. 21, 2024 Father Vernon E. Olmer, O.F.M., a Franciscan friar of the recently established Our Lady of Guadalupe Franciscan Province, died in the early hours of the morning on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, at the age of 88, at St. Mary’s Nursing Home in Manitowoc, Wis.

Fr. Vernon was born in Humphrey, Neb., on Aug. 7, 1935, to John and Stella (Eisenmenger) Olmer. He was the eighth of eleven children: Edwin (Rose Mary) Olmer, Dolores (Charles) McPhillips, Eleanor (Pat) McPhillips, Mildred (Arthur) Miksch, Bob Olmer, Art (Mary) Olmer, Sr. Marina Olmer, O.S.F., Fr. Vernon Olmer, O.F.M., Eugene (Marge) Olmer, William (Mary Jo) Olmer, and George (Marilyn) Olmer.

He was baptized and given the name, ‘John’, confirmed and received his early education at St. Francis Church and School in Humphrey, Neb. Discerning a vocation to Franciscan life during his freshman year at St. Francis High School in Humphrey, Neb., John entered formation in 1950 for the sophomore year at St. Joseph Franciscan Seminary in Westmont, Ill. On July 4, 1955, he entered the Franciscan novitiate of the Sacred Heart Province in Teutopolis, IL and received the religious name, “Vernon.” He made his solemn vows on July 5, 1959 and was ordained to the priesthood on June 13, 1962.

From 1964 to 2022, Father Vernon served the Franciscan Order and the Church, mostly in parish ministry, in Chicago, Teutopolis, Bishop Creek, and Quincy, Ill., West Monroe, La., Jordan, Minn., Ashland, Wis., and Indian River, Mich. He was the assistant novice master in Oak Brook, Ill., from 1972-75. While devoted to his ministry, Father Vernon also served his Franciscan community by preparing community meals, baking cookies, apple pies, zucchini and banana breads, etc. He loved to do yard work and enjoyed bike riding and cross-country skiing and spending time with family and friends. He retired in September 2022, and was a member of the community at Blessed Giles Friary in Manitowoc, Wis., from then until his death.

Father Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, John and Stella, and all his older brothers and sisters and their spouses. He is survived by his Franciscan

Father Vernon Elmer Olmer

brothers, as well as his three younger brothers, Eugene, William, and George, and their wives. He is also survived by many, many nieces, and nephews, as well as a great many great nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

The friars would like to express their appreciation to Father Vernon’s caregivers at Blessed Giles Friary, his medical teams at Froedtert Holy Family Memorial Hospital in Manitowoc, Wis., and the nursing home staff and rehab team at St. Mary’s Nursing Home in Manitowoc, Wis.

Funeral services for Fr. Vernon will be held at St. Francis Church in Humphrey, Neb. Visitation will be at the Church on Friday evening, February 2, 2024, from 5 to 7 pm, with a service at 7 pm. The Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Church in Humphrey, Neb. The inurnment will be in the friars’ plot in the parish cemetery in Humphrey, Neb., at a later date, when conditions are more favorable to enter the cemetery grounds.

In your kindness, please consider making a donation in memory of Father Vernon Olmer, O.F.M., for the continued care of our retired Franciscan brothers and priests. Any donation would be greatly appreciated. Please send your charitable donation to: Franciscan Friars of Missouri for the benefit of Blessed Giles Friary, 3140 Meramec Street, St. Louis, MO 63118. Attn: Finance Office May God bless you. The Lakeshore Family Funeral Home, Pfeffer location, Manitowoc, Wis., is assisting the friars with funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.lake shorefamilyfuneralhomes.com