Basil Kirsch
October 12, 1944 — December 26, 2012
Basil Kirsch
Mass of Christian Burial for Brother Basil (Michael) Kirsch, OSB, 68, of Richardton, will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 29, 2012 at the Assumption Abbey Church in Richardton. Burial will be in the Abbey Cemetery.
Visitation for Brother Basil will be 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. , Friday, December 28, 2012 at the Assumption Abbey in Richardton with a Vigil service being held at 7:00 p.m. in the Abbey Church.
Prior Basil (Michael) Kirsch, OSB, died suddenly on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2012 at Assumption Abbey, Richardton, ND.
Brother Basil was born in Fairbanks, AK, on October 12, 1944, to Wilmer and Elaine (Hemen) Kirsch, the third of four boys and twin to the second son Mark. The Kirsch family moved to East Wenatchee, WA, when Bro. Basil was about eight old, where they operated a fruit farm. After completing high school and college at St. Martin’s Abbey, Lacey, WA, Bro. Basil joined the US Coast Guard 1970 to 1974. After completing his military commitment, he joined St. Mark’s Priory, South Union, KY, where he professed his monastic vows on February 20, 1977. Bro. Basil served in various capacities at St. Mark’s Priory. When the decision was made to dissolve St. Mark’s, he, along with two other monks, chose to transfer his monastic stability to Assumption Abbey, Richardton, ND. This was accomplished on August 15, 1988 by a decree issued by Abbot John Eidenschink, President of the American Cassinese Congregation of Benedictines. On September 1, 1988, Bro. Basil was appointed to assist in the print shop. He also became vocation director, bookstore manager and taught American Benedictine history in the formation program. On March 1, 1989, he became guest master and director of oblates. He was junior master from January 1, 1992 to April 1996. On September 1, 1998 he was appointed subprior and then prior in August, 2004. He mowed most of our lawns for years. While changing some positions as time went on, Bro. Basil always was manager of the bookstore. This he turned into the Abbey gift shop. He excelled in this position. Being almost always at home at the Abbey, he made endless trips to the gift shop to attend to customers, whom he welcomed enthusiastically. He was a good salesman, knew what people liked and left a positive impression. He made many friends. For many years, Bro. Basil answered the Abbey telephone from 8:00 to 10:00 am every morning Monday through Saturday. His welcoming voice became familiar to many. As prior he served our community well for over eight years. He loved all things sweet, especially chocolate.
Bro. Basil was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his three brothers, Fr. Gerard Kirsch, OSB, St. Martin’s Abbey, Lacey, WA, Mark Kirsch, Seattle, WA and Stephen (Kathie) Kirsch, Everett, WA.
Burial Date: December 29, 2012
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND
Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday: Assumption Abbey Church, Richardton, ND
Visitation for Brother Basil will be 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. , Friday, December 28, 2012 at the Assumption Abbey in Richardton with a Vigil service being held at 7:00 p.m. in the Abbey Church.
Prior Basil (Michael) Kirsch, OSB, died suddenly on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2012 at Assumption Abbey, Richardton, ND.
Brother Basil was born in Fairbanks, AK, on October 12, 1944, to Wilmer and Elaine (Hemen) Kirsch, the third of four boys and twin to the second son Mark. The Kirsch family moved to East Wenatchee, WA, when Bro. Basil was about eight old, where they operated a fruit farm. After completing high school and college at St. Martin’s Abbey, Lacey, WA, Bro. Basil joined the US Coast Guard 1970 to 1974. After completing his military commitment, he joined St. Mark’s Priory, South Union, KY, where he professed his monastic vows on February 20, 1977. Bro. Basil served in various capacities at St. Mark’s Priory. When the decision was made to dissolve St. Mark’s, he, along with two other monks, chose to transfer his monastic stability to Assumption Abbey, Richardton, ND. This was accomplished on August 15, 1988 by a decree issued by Abbot John Eidenschink, President of the American Cassinese Congregation of Benedictines. On September 1, 1988, Bro. Basil was appointed to assist in the print shop. He also became vocation director, bookstore manager and taught American Benedictine history in the formation program. On March 1, 1989, he became guest master and director of oblates. He was junior master from January 1, 1992 to April 1996. On September 1, 1998 he was appointed subprior and then prior in August, 2004. He mowed most of our lawns for years. While changing some positions as time went on, Bro. Basil always was manager of the bookstore. This he turned into the Abbey gift shop. He excelled in this position. Being almost always at home at the Abbey, he made endless trips to the gift shop to attend to customers, whom he welcomed enthusiastically. He was a good salesman, knew what people liked and left a positive impression. He made many friends. For many years, Bro. Basil answered the Abbey telephone from 8:00 to 10:00 am every morning Monday through Saturday. His welcoming voice became familiar to many. As prior he served our community well for over eight years. He loved all things sweet, especially chocolate.
Bro. Basil was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his three brothers, Fr. Gerard Kirsch, OSB, St. Martin’s Abbey, Lacey, WA, Mark Kirsch, Seattle, WA and Stephen (Kathie) Kirsch, Everett, WA.
Burial Date: December 29, 2012
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND
Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday: Assumption Abbey Church, Richardton, ND
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