Wilfred Splonskowski

The Reverend Wilfrid Splonskowski, OSB, 82, died on October 16, 2007 at St. Joseph?s Hospital, Dickinson, ND due to complications after hip replacement surgery. Mass of Christian Burial will be at the Assumption Abbey Church in Richardton at 10:30 a. m. MT, on Friday, October 19, 2007. Vigil Services will be held on Thursday, October 18, 7:00 p. m. MT at the Abbey Church. Burial will be in the Assumption Abbey Cemetery. Wilfrid Splonskowski was born in Braddock, ND on August 2, 1925 to Francis and Elizabeth (Kapperman) Splonskowski. He was born into a family of six boys and five girls. Three of the boys became monks and priests of Assumption Abbey. Three of the girls became sisters of Mother of God Monastery in Watertown, SD. After his elementary education, Fr. Wilfrid came to Assumption Abbey for high school. He entered the novitiate in 1945 and made vows on July 11, 1946. After completing his seminary studies he was ordained to the priesthood on May 24, 1952. Fr. Wilfrid worked in the Abbey schools. He attended Notre Dame during the 1955-56 school year. He was appointed pastor of St. Clement?s Church, Haymarsh, ND on August 27, 1956. Then on June 6, 1958 tragedy hit while Fr. Wilfrid was on vacation with his brother, Fr. George and others. They were hit head on near Vinian, SD. Fr. George was killed and Fr. Wilfrid was unconscious for about four weeks. On July 17, 1959 he was appointed assistant pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Ontario, CA to help his recuperation. From 1962 to 1982 he served in various parishes in the Diocese of Bismarck, including Solen and Odense, St. Stephen and St. Placidus in Stark County, and Selfridge. In addition he was chaplain at the Garrison Hospital from October 1972 to January 1973. On July 1, 1982 he returned to the Abbey. Then in 1983 he resumed pastoral work at St. Elizabeth?s, Lefor with its mission of St. Stephen?s. Later he had Lefor, St. Thomas, Gladstone and St. Philip?s, Hirschville. From July 1, 1995 to June 30, 1998 he was pastor of Sts. Peter & Paul Church, New Hradec with St. Philip?s, Hirshville as a mission. On July 1, 1998 he was appointed to St. Philip?s Church, Scobey, MT with its missions at Flaxville, Glentana and Peerless. On July 1, 2000 he was reassigned as parochial vicar to Sacred Heart Church, Miles City, MT with residence at Sacred Heart Church in Terry, MT. A serious injury to his leg from a fall on May 30, 2005 resulted in his being hospitalized and in rehab until August 2, 2005 when he returned to the Abbey to retire. His recovery continued and he did quite well. He was content at the Abbey and his confreres enjoyed his happy and accepting ways. Fr. Wilfrid is survived by two sisters, Sister Anita Splonskowski, OSB, Pierre, SD and Rose (Ted) Riehl, Flasher, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers and three sisters.


Burial Date: October 19, 2007
Funeral Home Hebron, ND

Funeral Mass: Friday, Assumption Abbey Church, Richardton