Rev. John C. Friedell
Deceased: 2013-11-03
Diocese: DUBUQUE
Seminary Graduation Year: 1955
Rev. John C. Friedell, 84, of Stonehill Care Center, passed away Sunday, November 3, 2013 at Stonehill. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 9, 2013 at Christ the King Chapel, Loras College with Archbishop Most Rev. Michael Jackels, Rev. Ronald Friedell officiating and Rev. Msgr. Dean Walz as homilist. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Friday and from 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Saturday at Christ the King Chapel.
Fr. John was born on November 2, 1929 in Dubuque, Iowa, the son of Elmer and Marie (Zugenbuehler) Friedell. He attended Loras Academy, then received his B.A. from Loras College in 1951 with majors in philosophy and mathematics. After studying theology for four years in Rome at the North American College, he obtained a S.T.L. degree from Gregorian University. He was ordained to the priesthood on December 8, 1954.
His parish work began in Garner and Waterloo, Iowa, before being assigned to Loras College in 1956. His love of learning continued as he achieved a master’s degree in mathematics in 1958 from the University of Iowa.
After teaching at Loras for a year, he spent three years at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he went on to receive his Ph.D. in mathematics in 1962. Fr. John is the only Loras priest who has attained the doctorate in mathematics.
While his emphasis was in abstract algebra, Fr. John had taught just about every mathematics course offered in Loras’ undergraduate curriculum during his 43 years. He published several articles in the Proceedings of the American Mathematical Society and received invitations to teach at the NSF Summer Institute for Teachers of Mathematics at Princeton University and University of Oklahoma.
Some of his college committee work involved setting up the faculty structure, including the Faculty Senate, then later serving for a couple of terms on the Rank and Tenure Committee.
Even in retirement he did not slow down. He served on the boards of Project Concern in Dubuque and the Dubuque Rescue Mission, was a member of the Dubuque Noon Lions Club and offered sacred liturgy at several local parishes. It was not uncommon to have found him mentoring students on the Loras campus. He also served as chaplain for Stonehill Care Center, the Sisters of Charity, BVM at Mt. Carmel, and the Sisters of the Visitation.
Surviving are his four sisters, Rosemary McGovern of Baton Rouge, LA., Lois Burds of Dubuque, IA, Anita Uebelhart of Kansas City, KS and Darlene Pfiffner of Laguna Beach, CA; his brother, Rev. Ronald Friedell of Dubuque, IA and good friend, Sr. Bernadine Curoe.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers-in-law John McGovern, William Burds and William Uebelhar
