Obituary
Father Raymond J. Pedretti
Father Raymond J. Pedretti, 89, and a priest for 62 years, died peacefully on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at his home in Onalaksa, WI. Raymond was born on December 28, 1928 in Genoa, WI to Albert and Helen (Venner) Pedretti. He grew up on a farm in Genoa, WI and attended Mound Ridge Elementary School. In 1944, he attended Salvatorian Seminary in Saint Nazianz. He continued on at Saint Francis Seminary in Milwaukee and also Saint John’s Seminary in Brighton, Mass. He was a 4thdegree member of the Knights of Columbus. On February 2, 1956, he was ordained a priest.
He taught and served at many places, including, St. Peter and Paul Parish and Assumption high school, Wisconsin Rapids; Holy Rosary Parish, Siegel; Holy Cross Seminary, La Crosse; Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Richland Center; Sacred Heart Mission, Lone Rock; St. Mary’s Parish, Colby; St. Mary’s Parish, Tomah; St. Mary’s Parish, Galesville; Sacred Heart Parish, Pine Creek; and Holy Family Parish, Arcadia. He retired to St. Mary of Mount Carmel in Francer and later retired to his home in Onalaska.
During his retirement, he continued celebrating daily mass. He enjoyed his hobbies of gardening, hunting, reading, traveling and visiting with family and friends. He especially enjoyed the trip to Rome, Medjugorie, and to South America where his brother, Father Robert, was stationed.
He is survived by his siblings, Lucille Pedretti, Rita Llorca, Rev. Robert Pedretti, and Earl (Ruth) Pedretti; his sister-in-law, Cate Pedretti; his longtime housekeeper, Rita Witkowski; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Jean (David) Flottmeyer; and his brother Dennis Pedretti.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Patrick Church in Onalaska on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. The Most Reverend William Patrick Callahan will be the main celebrant and Reverend John L. Parr will be the homilist. Visitation will be held at St. Patrick Church on Tuesday, May 15 from 4:00-8:00 p.m., with Evening Prayer from the Office of the Dead at 7:30 p.m, as well as one hour prior to the mass. Memorials preferred to masses or to St. Joseph’s Priest Fund.
We are so sorry to hear of Fr. Padrettis passing. We forward our sympathies to the family.
Our sympathy to Father Pedretti’s family. His kind and gentle ways were part of his leadership in the parishes he served. He knew his parishioners and loved all he came in contact with in his years as a faith filled priest. He followed the Ten Commandments and Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. May his soul rest in peace. Heaven got another angel.
Father Pedretti was a wonderful role model to our family during his years in Richland Center, WI. We are sorrowed to hear of his passing in 2018 and please let his family know we are forever guided by his teachings and his quiet leadership.
-Audra Jaconetti