Father James J. Logan, age 91 and a priest for 65 years, passed away on Friday, October 18, 2024, in Marshfield, Wisconsin.
James John Lodzinski was born August 14, 1933, the son of Felix and Clara Lodzinski. As an adult he simplified his surname, legally changing it to “Logan”. He grew up on a dairy farm in a rural area of Stevens Point, Wisconsin and attended a one room schoolhouse. He began his high school education in Sevens Point for one year, completing his last three years at St. Norbert’s High School in West De Pere. It was then that he chose to join the priesthood and attended Holy Cross High School and College Seminary in La Crosse. He continued his theological studies at Mount St. Bernard’s Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. Bishop John Patrick Treacy ordained him a priest at the Holy Cross seminary in La Crosse on May 9, 1959.
Father Logan’s first assignment began in June 1959 as Assistant Pastor at St. Joseph’s parish in Stevens Point. In June 1960 he was appointed as Assistant Pastor at Sacred Heart Parish and teacher at Columbus High School in Marshfield. He was appointed Administrative Assistant to the Principal and Instructor at Columbus High School in 1963. While serving his duties as a priest, he continued his studies during five summers at Loyola University in Chicago and completed a master’s degree in religious education. He continued his studies in the field of education and guidance counseling at Marquette University and Wisconsin State University-Stout. On August 16, 1967, he was appointed Assistant Pastor at Our Lady of Peace Parish in Marshfield while continuing at Columbus High School. In 1970, Father Logan was assigned as Assistant Pastor at Blessed Sacrament Parish and Instructor at Aquinas High School in La Crosse.
In 1971, Father Logan was appointed the Associate Pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Menomonie and Administrator of St. Luke Parish, Boyceville. In 1972, he was assigned to a Team Ministry St. Joseph Parish, the Newman Center at UW-Menomonie and St. Luke Parish. From 1973-1978, Father Logan served as the Chaplain to the Sisters of St. Joseph Provincial Motherhouse and an Instructor at Pacelli High School, Stevens Point. While continuing as Chaplain at St. Joseph Convent, he served as Administrator of St. Mary Parish in Torun from June to October 1978. Father Logan was then appointed to Pastor of St. Agnes Parish in Weston (Callon). While there for only two years, he helped the parish build a new church and supported Newman High School in Wausau. In 1980, he was appointed Pastor of St. Anthony in Loyal until 1985, when he was assigned to St. Bronislava in Plover. There, he helped the parish build a new church, the second under his stewardship. On June 1, 1993, Our Lady of Peace in Marshfield celebrated Father Logan’s return. After a decade he was granted status of Senior Priest on June 30, 2003. On July 3, 2003, Our Lady of Peace commemorated Father Logan’s last official act as Pastor. He continued to serve the faithful of the diocese when and where he could.
Many revered Father Logan as a compassionate spiritual Father, who was a confidant to many and a confessor to those who sought God’s mercy. He celebrated their moments of happiness, weddings, baptisms, successes, achievements and gave them hope through times of tragedy and loss.
He had a great appreciation for music, notably classical and country. He enjoyed walking and biking, but his favorite sport was golfing, when his sense of humor and wit were at its best. Some would joke about his homilies shortening when he had a tee time. He loved the mountains and traveled to them often. He took a sabbatical to Rome and was honored to meet Pope John Paul the II. His travels took him to many places in the US, the Holy Land and Ireland.
Father Logan is survived by two sisters, Kathleen Larson and Lois Rzasa as well as nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Felix and Clara Lodzinski, his brothers Fred Lodzinski (Rita) and Jerry Logan, and his sister Maryann Vissers (Don).
Kathleen and Lois would like to thank Father Logan’s dear loving friends and especially those who were so devoted, who supported him through triumphs and tribulations and stood by his side to the very end. We thank his parishioners, priests and relatives. He considered his friends in the Marshfield community a part of his extended family. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, the Marshfield and diocesan communities.
May Father Logan rest in eternal peace with our Lord.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Peace Church in Marshfield (1414 W Fifth St.) on Monday, November 11, 2024, at 11 AM. His Excellency, The Most Reverend Bishop Emeritus, Willian Patrick Callahan will be celebrant and Reverend Brian Konopa, homilist. The service will be streamed online at www.facebook.com/rembsfuneralhomes. Burial will be in Guardian Angel Cemetery, Stevens Point.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 10 at Our Lady of Peace Church from 5:30 PM until 8 o’clock. Visitation begins with Evening Prayer.
Please make memorial donations to CCS Fieldhouse Campaign, checks payable to Columbus Catholic Schools with notation Father Logan Memorial for Fieldhouse Campaign, 710 S Columbus Ave, Marshfield, WI 54449
Condolences may be sent to www.rembsfh.com
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Author: News Desk
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