Father Robert J. Schimmer

Reverend Robert J. Schimmer, 73, of Sioux City passed away on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at a Sioux City hospital after a long illness. The funeral Mass will be at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sioux City. The Most Reverend R. Walker Nickless is Concelebrant of the mass. Principal Concelebrants are Very Reverend Douglas Klein, VF and Reverend Michael Erpelding, pastor of St. Joseph's Parish. Concelebrants are Reverend Paul Eisle and Reverend Michael Larkin, classmates of Father Schimmer, and other Priests from the Diocese of Sioux City. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Danbury, IA. Visitation with the family present will be from 4:00 -8:00 P.M. Tuesday with a Vigil Service at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday all at the Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Condolences may be sent on-line to www.meyerbroschapels.com. Father Schimmer was born October 3, 1941 in Danbury, Iowa; he was the son of Clem J. and Mary Ellen (Gahan) Schimmer. Father Schimmer graduated from Danbury Catholic High School in 1960. He graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, IA and Mount St. Bernard Seminary in Dubuque. He was ordained June 1, 1968 at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City. Father Schimmer received Master's Degrees from Aquinas Institute in Dubuque and Creighton University in Omaha. He received his Clinical Pastoral Education at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN. Father Schimmer served at St. Mary's Parish in Storm Lake in 1968, Sacred Heart Parish in Templeton from 1968 to 1972, at Kuemper High School in Carroll from 1968 to 1972, St. Michael Parish in Whittemore form 1972 to 1974, Bishop Garrigan High School in Algona from 1972 to 1974, St. Joseph Parish in Struble from 1974 to 1977, Gehlen Catholic High School in LeMars from 1974 to 1977, St. Bernard Parish in Breda from 1977 to 1979, St. Bernard High School in Breda from 1977 to 1979, Bishop Heelan High School from 1979 to 1986, Sacred Heart Parish in Sioux City in 1982, Chaplain at Trinity Regional Hospital in Fort Dodge, IA from 1986 to 1987, Chaplain at Marian Health Center in Sioux City from 1987 to 1992, St. Joseph Parish in Sioux City from 1992 to 2000, Vicar Forane/Dean from 1996 to 2000, College of Consultors-Diocese of Sioux City in 1998, St. Mary Parish in Storm Lake from 2000 to 2003, Vicar Forane/Dean 2000 to 2003, St. Patrick Parish in Sheldon from 2003 to 2010. He retired October 1, 2010. Father Schimmer enjoyed dining out, and caring for all of the people from the parishes he served over the years. Survivors include his brothers and sisters: Betty Meier of Sioux City, John Schimmer and his wife Catherine of Napa, CA, Jean Karhoff and her husband Bill of Danbury, IA, Tom Schimmer and his wife Joyce of Danbury, IA; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He is also survived by his good friends at the Council Oaks Manor Condos where he resided and his dog Gizmo. Father Schimmer was preceded in death by his parents, aunts and uncles, and brother-in-law, Leo. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Catholic Charities.