With hope in the resurrection, we commend to the Lord Reverend Michael
Patrick Dineen, who died on May 19, 2020, at the age of 96. Fr. Michael
was born on a dairy farm in Mequon, WI and in his youth took a great
interest in dairy farming and received many awards in his ten years as a 4-H
member and Jr. Leader. He went to Messmer High School and from there
enrolled at St. Francis de Sales Minor Seminary.
Fr. Michael was ordained to the priesthood by Most Reverend Roman
Atkielski, Auxiliary Bishop, Archdiocese of Milwaukee, on May 28, 1949,
at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Milwaukee. He was appointed to
his first assignment on August 9, 1949 to serve as an assistant at St. Clement
Parish, Sheboygan. He later served as an Associate Pastor at Holy Rosary,
St. Agnes and St. Matthias in Milwaukee, St. John Vianney, Brookfield, and
St. Patrick’s, Elkhorn.
In 1954 He was asked by Archbishop Meyer to assume the role of Executive
Secretary of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference. He served in that
position for ten years and then became the Publisher and Editor of Country
Beautiful Magazine and Books, the publishing arm of The National Catholic
Rural Life Conference. The mission of Country Beautiful was to preserve
the family farm and the small rural communities that served the farmers and
their families.
During his time at Country Beautiful, Fr. Michael edited and published over
one hundred books, all of which are registered in the Library of Congress.
Several of the Country Beautiful books were on the New York Times best
seller list and many of the books won national awards for creative design
and unique editorial content.
Fr. Michael continued his interest in Rural Life when he was assigned three
rural parishes in the La Crosse Diocese serving St. Mary’s Ridge, St.
Augustine’s in Norwalk, WI and St. Patrick’s in Mauston, WI. While Fr.
Michael was in La Crosse he developed an interest in caring for the sick and
through 1600 hours of CPE work became a certified chaplain. His most
favorite pastoral assignment was at Kenosha Hospital and Medical Center in
Kenosha where he served as director of Pastoral Care for over fifteen years.
Fr. Michael retired at the age of 75 and returned to the city of his first
pastoral appointment, Sheboygan, WI. He was the main help-out or assisting
priest at Immaculate Conception and Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parishes.
During his retirement he served as Volunteer Chaplain at St. Nicholas
Hospital in Sheboygan and as a very active Chaplain of The Knights of
Columbus, Our Lady of the Rosary Council, 722. In his retirement he
continued his love for the land, growing and cultivating his beautiful garden
of hybrid roses and a host of other flowers and special plants.
One of Fr. Michael’s missions in his Senior Priest days was to be present
and active at Christ Child Academy in Sheboygan. He spent many hours,
teaching, supporting, and participating in its activities and especially in its
mission to fulfill the mandate of Jesus: “Let the little children come unto
me.”
He was active unto the very final days of priesthood, some 71 years, serving
as well, a multitude of parishes in Racine, Kenosha, and Lake Geneva and
its beautiful surroundings.
Fr. Michael is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Catherine
Dineen, brothers, Charles Jr., Robert, Gerald and John, and his sister Grace
Bueno. He is survived by his sister, Margaret Swan Baehler, beloved
cousins, many nieces and nephews, personal representative, Kimberly
Wendt who acted as an angel of mercy along with members of Hospice Care
and countless friends and parishioners that he ministered to.
Due to the Covid pandemic, a Private Mass of Christian burial following
appropriate safe distancing protocols will be celebrated.
A memorial fund has been established in the name of Reverend Michael
Dineen for Christ Child Academy. 2722 Henry St, Sheboygan, WI 53081
Online condolences may be expressed at www.zimmerfuneralhome.com
