News of Fr. Ger Knueven's death struck us like a lightning bolt on November 23. I had called Ger on the day before Thanksgiving, November 21, to ask him how he was doing. He told me he was on his way to the University of Toledo Medical Center that afternoon for his first chemotherapy treatment. He told me he had just finished his hemodialysis and was feeling good. He voiced hopefulness that the chemotherapy would ameliorate his amyloidosis and thereby improve his kidney function. How stunned I was to receive a call from Ger's sister, Sr. Kathleen, on November 23 informing me that he had died.
Fr. Ger was my first cousin. We grew up together. We attended the Josephinum together. Our two families were close.
His eight brothers and sisters handled arrangements for his wake, funeral, and burial in collaboration with the Diocese of Toledo. His body was brought to Rosary Cathedral in Toledo on Friday afternoon (November 30) for visitation and Evening Prayer. His Funeral Liturgy was scheduled for 11:00 on Saturday morning. Bishop Daniel Thomas presided at this concelebrated liturgy. The Scripture readings were so appropriate for this occasion and the homilist drew examples from Fr. Ger's ministry illustrating his humbleness and prayerfulness. After the liturgy a delicious meal was offered to all present family, friends, and guests at the parish school hall adjacent to the Cathedral. At 2:30 pm a hearse left Toledo carrying Ger's body to the cemetery of his home parish, St. Mary's Parish, in Leipsic, Ohio. Chris and I accompanied his immediate family to the cemetery. Fr. Ed "Skip" Littelmann (Joss Class of '69) presided at the prayer service held at Ger's grave site. He was laid to rest next to his parents.
There was a strong showing of support by the Joss Class of '68. In attendance were John and Kathy Driscoll, Mike Heydinger, Fr. Frank Kehres, Thad and Donna Kresho, Ron and Sandy Langhals, Tom and Chris Meyer, Jack Park and Harry Tennery, Bernie and Patricia Rabik, and Don and Betty Wampach. A welcomed surprise in attendance was Ken Kehres, Fr. Frank's older brother (Joss Class of '65).
At the conclusion of the grave site prayer service one of Ger's brothers, Joe, offered me a ripened wheat stem with its wheat head. Ger was a farm boy; I was a farm boy. The wheat stem symbolizes our common, agrarian life. I now carry this wheat stem with me in my car.
