Father Eugene Wesely, a retired priest of the Diocese of Crookston, died Friday, March 14, 2014, at Essentia Health Oak Crossing, Detroit Lakes, MN, at the age of 82.

Eugene Leonard Wesely was born December 1, 1931, in St. Paul, MN, to Leonard and Mary (Mahowald) Wesely. He attended Blessed Sacrament Parochial School and furthered his education at the Nazareth Hall at St. Paul Seminary. Father Eugene was ordained a priest May 25, 1957, for the Diocese of Crookston.

Over the years, Father Gene served many parishes in the Crookston Diocese and some of them twice. He touched many lives and made numerous friends at each   parish. He began his ministry as assistant pastor at St. Ann Parish at Blackduck in 1957. That same year, he moved to Sacred Heart Parish East Grand Forks, where he served as assistant pastor until 1960. In 1960, Father Gene served as assistant pastor at St. Philip's Parish in Bemidji. Later that same year and through 1970, he served as assistant pastor at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Moorhead. He was administrator of St. Mary's Parish, Warroad, and its mission of St. Joseph's Parish at Williams. From 1971 to 1980, Father Gene served as pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish at Greenbush and its mission of St. Aloysius Parish at Leo. From 1980-1986, he served as pastor of St. Michael's Parish at Mahnomen and its mission of Immaculate Conception Parish at Bejou. In 1982, the parish of St. Joseph at Beaulieu became the mission of Mahnomen. From 1986-1990, Father Gene served as pastor of St. Joseph's Parish at Ada and its mission of St. William at Twin Valley. In 1990, he returned to Blessed Sacrament Parish at Greenbush as pastor with its mission of St. Aloysius, Leo until 1996 (in 1993 he also served St. Joseph's Parish in Middle River). In 1996, Father Gene served as pastor of St. Mary of the Lakes Parish, Lake Eunice Township and Assumption Parish at Callaway until 2001 when he retired. From 2002 to 2007, he continued to assist at St. Mary of the Lakes Parish and continued to help out whenever he could in Detroit Lakes.

Throughout the years, Father Gene was involved with Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) in the Diocese of Crookston. Outside the church, he had many hobbies that kept him busy. Father Gene enjoyed snowmobiling, motorcycling, canning and sewing. As an avid outdoorsman and fisherman, he truly appreciated going to Lake of the Woods and spending time at his cabin on South Twin Lake.   In his down time, Father Gene loved to read and listen to music, especially classical.

Father Gene is survived by his sister, Rita Olson of Burntwood, CA; two brothers, Clarence of Cannon Falls, MN, and Norbert of Minneapolis; and 14 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Benedict Wesely; a sister-in-law, Evelyn Wesely, and one niece.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 19, 2014, at St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church rural Detroit Lakes.  Visitation will be held at the church on Tuesday, March 18 ^th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Interment will take place at St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Cemetery.