In Memoriam – Father Mark William Willenbring ’49

Father Mark Willenbring, age 92, a resident of St. Cloud, passed away at the Saint Benedict Center in St. Cloud. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, August 12, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Pierz. A visitation will be held from 2:00-4:00 P.M. on Sunday, August 11, 2024, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud and from 9:30 A.M. until the hour of the service on Monday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Pierz. The burial will be held in the Pierz Parish Cemetery.

Father Mark Willenbring was born October 13, 1931, in Farming, MN, to parents Charles and Anna Willenbring. He attended Saint Joseph’s Elementary School in Pierz, high school in Little Falls, Saint John’s Preparatory School, and Saint John’s University. He received his seminary training at Saint John’s Seminary in Collegeville. He was ordained on June 1, 1957, and celebrated his First Mass on June 2 at Saint Joseph’s Church in Pierz.

He was a Diocesan priest in a number of St Cloud area parishes, including Saint Paul’s, Saint Anthony’s, Sant Mary’s Cathedral, Princeton, Long Prairie, and other parishes. Additionally, he served as a Missionary Priest for the Diocese of St. Cloud in Maracay, Venezuela, where he facilitated the building of two churches. He served as the Rector of Saint John’s Seminary. He was a Chaplain and tour guide for many pilgrimages. He was also very involved with the Worldwide Marriage Encounter Organization and, at one time, served as the director. More recently, he continued with his pastoral duties at Saint Benedict’s Community in St. Cloud, where he resided and presided at Mass four times a week. His favorite saying was, “Whenever you have a moment to spare, say a prayer.”

In his final month, he had transferred to St. Benedict Court and passed away August 3, 2024. He lived a long, happy life and will be missed by his sister, Sister Joyce Willenbring, OSB, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends. Preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Mary Ann Stein, Julia Langer, Gordan Willenbring, and Theodore Willenbring.

Emblom Brenny Funeral Service is Cherishing the Memory and Celebrating the Life of Father Mark.