Rev. Msgr. Richard E. Zenk

Monsignor Richard E. Zenk, 89, of Sioux City, died Tuesday, November 15, 2016, at a Sioux City hospital. Services will be 10 a.m., Friday at Cathedral of the Epiphany, with Bishop R. Walker Nickless officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Mausoleum. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with rosary at 5 p.m. and parish vigil service at 7 p.m., at Larkin Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Homes.

Richard E. Zenk was born on May 10, 1927, to Michael and Margaret (Engeldinger) Zenk, in Alton, Iowa. Richard received his early education at St. Mary’s Academy in Alton, graduating in 1944. After working on the farm for three years while his brothers were in the service, he entered St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn., and was then sent to the North American College Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy.

He was ordained to the priesthood on Dec. 8, 1954 at the North American College Chapel in Rome by Bishop Martin O’Connor. Monsignor Zenk celebrated his Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Mary’s Church in Alton on July 12, 1955. Bishop Mueller assigned him to another three years in Rome to study Canon Law, receiving his J.C.D. at Pontifical Gregorian University in 1958. Papal Honors: Chaplain of His Holiness – 1972.

Monsignor Zenk’s ministry had been diverse, with service as parish pastor, chaplain, and work at the Diocesan Chancery Office, including duties with the missions, the tribunal, and Calvary Cemetery. As part of his mission work, he traveled to many places including India, South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, and Peru. Diocesan assignments included temporary assistant-St. Mary Parish-Willey 1958, Special Assignment Chancery Office, Diocese of Sioux City 1958 to 1964, Chaplain-St. Anthony’s Home, Sioux City 1959 to 1960, chaplain-St. Vincent Hospital, Sioux City 1960 to 1964, vice chancellor-Diocese of Sioux City 1964 to 1975, director-Society for the Propagation of the Faith, Diocese of Sioux City 1964 to 2013, executive secretary-treasurer Calvary Cemetery, Sioux City 1964 to 2013, Defender of the Bond-Tribunal, Diocese of Sioux City 1966 to 1975, pastor-St. Mary Parish Rock Valley (attending Alvord 1970 to 1972) 1968 to 1972, chaplain-St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Sioux City 1972 to 1975, pastor-St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Sioux City 1975 to 1986, Officialis-Tribunal, Diocese of Sioux City 1975 to 1988, pastor-St. John Parish, Onawa (attending Blencoe) 1986 to 1995, Defender of the Bond-Tribunal, Diocese of Sioux City 1988 to 2013, pastor/administrator-St. Patrick Parish, Akron 1995 to 2011.

Msgr. Zenk is survived by a brother, Don (Viola) Zenk of Alton; one sister-in-law, Catherine Twombley of Ankeny, Iowa; and 30 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Mollie; two sisters, Mildred Vortherms and Mary Ann Full; four brothers, Milo, Alfred, Alvin, and Cyril; two brothers-in-law, George Vortherms and Mark Full; two sisters-in-law, Sue Zenk and Corrine Zenk; and one niece, Beverly Wheat.