Fr. Kenneth Rosswog, OFM, 95, passes away

Fr. Kenneth Rosswog. OFM, of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, passed away the evening of June 17, 2026, just hours after family members gathered at his bedside for an early birthday celebration. Over the course of more than six decades of priestly ministry, he served as a teacher, vocation director, chaplain and parish priest, faithfully accompanying countless people with a quiet and generous spirit.

A viewing for Fr. Kenneth Rosswog, OFM, will take place on Saturday, June 20 at 10 a.m., at Pfeffer Funeral Home, 928 S 14th Street, Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Once cremation has been completed, a memorial service will be held at Blessed Giles Friary in Manitowoc, followed by a funeral and burial in Quincy, Illinois. More information will be provided soon.

Fr. Ken was born on June 18, 1930, in Quincy, Illinois, son of Frederick and Gertrude (née Geers). This year marked his 75th anniversary of professing simple vows on July 5, 1951. He professed solemn vows on July 5, 1954; and was ordained to the priesthood on June 24, 1957, all in Teutopolis, Illinois. 

Growing up in a devout Catholic family, he discerned his vocation to religious life at an early age, entering St. Joseph Seminary in Westmont, Illinois, right after eighth grade. He was received into the Order of Friars Minor at the age of 20. 

Fr. Ken earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Quincy College (now Quincy University) and a master’s degree from DePaul University in Chicago.

After ordination, Fr. Ken educated students and introduced them to Franciscan values as a teacher at his alma mater, St. Joseph Seminary in Westmont for 14 years. After that, he experienced a new calling and culture while serving as chaplain to the American Embassy in Bonn, Germany, for one year. He then returned to teaching, this time at St. Joseph Franciscan Seminary in Oak Brook, from 1974 to 1979, while also leading vocation efforts there for three years.

In the decades that followed, Fr. Ken focused on parish ministry serving at St. Joseph Parish in Omaha, Nebraska, (1979 to 1980), St. Anthony Parish in St. Louis, (1980 to 1986 and 1990 to 2000), St. Anthony Parish in Cleveland (1986 to 1990) and St Francis Parish in Teutopolis (2000 to 2019).

He also served as Provincial Secretary of the legacy Sacred Heart Province from 1990 to 1992.

In an article noting Fr. Ken’s 60th anniversary of ordination, he reflected on his vocation this way: “My years in the priesthood have been a great blessing and I am more and more grateful as the years pass. As I look back, I am filled with awe when I realize how wonderfully God has been with me these 60 years.”

After his retirement in 2019, Fr. Ken resided at the Blessed Giles Friary in Manitowoc, surrounded by his brothers and caregivers who loved him dearly.

Fr. Ken was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Vera (Frank) Ley and Sr. Rose Anthony Rosswog of the School Sisters of Notre Dame. He is survived by his sister, Carol (Roger) Geers and his brothers of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews who will miss him greatly.