Father Jerome Spenner
June 30, 1939 – March 10, 2023
Father Jerome Spenner, 83, passed away on March 10, 2023, at Providence Place in Fremont, Nebraska.
Father Jerome Ignatius Spenner was born on June 30, 1939, to Henry and Eleanor (Stieren) Spenner on a farm two miles north of Beemer, Nebraska. He grew up on the farm helping with the chores and harvested numerous bales of hay as the family did custom baling.
He attended a one-room schoolhouse north of the farm and later finished his grade school at Guardian Angels School in West Point. He attended Conception Seminary in Maryville, MO. As time progressed, he was ordained on May 23, 1964.
He was assistant pastor at Holy Cross, Omaha; St. Francis Cabrini, Omaha; Holy Family, Lindsay; and St. Isidore, Columbus. He served as pastor at St. Mary, Laurel; St. Ann, Dixon; St. John the Baptist, Fordyce; SS. Peter and Paul, Bow Valley; St. Ludger, Creighton; and St. Bernard, Omaha.
As an active priest, Father Spenner said some of his favorite things were teaching and celebrating liturgies with the children. Known for his homilies, he often used props to help get his point across; an alligator to talk about the seven deadly sins and a squealing toy pig to talk about surrender and abandonment.
Father also enjoyed biking, reading, woodworking, photography, and studying the stars. He moved to St. John Vianney Residence in Omaha upon retiring in 2009. Following an illness in February of 2020, he moved to St. Joseph Retirement Home in West Point, and in his final move was to Providence Place in Fremont, Nebraska.
He is survived by his brothers, Eugene Spenner (Marilyn) from British Columbia, Canada, Daniel (Karen) from Beemer, NE and sister, Mary Beth (Jan) from West Point, NE; 12 nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by parents, Henry and Eleanor Spenner, brother Father Wilfred Spenner, Nephew James Schuetze.
Vigil Service: Wednesday, March 15th, 7PM at St. Bernard Catholic Church (3601 N. 65th Street) with family receiving friends from 5-7PM.
Mass of Christian Burial: Thursday, March 16th, 10AM at St. Bernard Catholic Church.
Interment: Calvary
Memorials may be directed to the church.
To View a Live Broadcast of the Vigil Service and Funeral Mass, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and press the “View Live Cast” button at the top of the homepage.
6 Comments
I am so sad for the family but know that Fr. Jerome is rejoicing.
To all the Spenner family,
I met Father when he taught at Lindsay Holy Family. He shared with his students his love of God by serving unselfishly and was always willing to listen and offer advice, if asked. He taught by example and we were blessed to know him. Your family is in my prayers and may we remember to pray for our dear priests. May his soul and all the faithfully departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
Father Spenner was very special to my family. He was instrumental in my becoming a deacon. One of the highlights of my life was him giving me a tour of his woodshop at St. Bernard. He will remain forever in my thoughts! He was one of a kind.
My deepest sympathy goes out to the entire family. I will keep you and Fr. Jerome in my thought’s and prayer’s.
Peggy (Bockholt) Roberts
I loved working with Father Spenner. He was a wonderful person!
Father Spenner was a gift to all who knew and accepted his Christian leadership. As a teacher and then principal at St Ludger Elementary, I experienced first-hand his love of children’s masses. He was an inspiration to me. My deepest sympathies go out to you and your family. May God give you the peace that you seek
Sign Guestbook