Rev. Msgr. Russell M. Bleich
Deceased: 2025-01-10
Diocese: DUBUQUE
Seminary Graduation Year: 1961
Rev. Msgr. Russell M. Bleich, 89, a priest of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, passed away on Friday, January 10, 2025, at Stonehill Care Center in Dubuque.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday February 8, 2025, at 10:30 at Saint Edward Catholic Church in Waterloo, Iowa, with Most Rev. Thomas Zinkula officiating and Rev. Thomas McDermott as Homilist. Burial will take place at a later date at St. Joseph Church Cemetery in Wesley, Iowa. Monsignor Bleich has donated his earthly remains to the University of Iowa Deeded Body Program.
There will be visitation from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, February 7, 2025, with a Scripture Service at 6:00 p.m. celebrated by Most Rev. Scott Bullock. Additional visitation will be held at church from 9:00 a.m. until time of Mass on Saturday, February 8, 2025, all at Saint Edwards Church in Waterloo, Iowa. The Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory in Dubuque is in charge of the arrangements.
Monsignor was born on July 9, 1935, in Titonka, Iowa, the son of Martin A. and Anna (Seiler) Bleich. He grew up in the small town of Miller, Iowa, where he went to a one-room schoolhouse, and worked with his parents and two sisters in the family country store. He graduated from Garner High School, Loras College, Gregorian University in Rome, Creighton University in Omaha, and completed his postgraduate work at the University of Iowa.
Msgr. Bleich was ordained in Rome in 1960 and returned to Dubuque and was assigned Associate Pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish, Ossian, and Principal and teacher at De Sales Central Catholic High School. He served as superintendent of Education for the Archdiocese of Dubuque from 1967-1987. During this time, he was chosen to lead national efforts in the implementation of the United States Bishop Pastoral “To Teach as Jesus Did.” His peers elected him to serve as President of the Chief Administrators of Catholic Education of America. In 1987, Monsignor was appointed pastor of St. Edward’s Parish in Waterloo and served there until 1999, when he became the Episcopal Vicar of the Cedar Rapids region until his retirement in 2012. In 1987, His Holiness Pope John Paul II appointed Msgr. Bleich as a Prelate of Honor, a Monsignor. Msgr. Bleich retired to Dubuque and resided at the Villa Raphael, where he continued to serve wherever he was called to.
Monsignor Bleich is survived by his nieces and nephews Mary (Ron) Buck, Dorothy Seiler, Frances (Jim) Cleary, Trish (Jon) Thompson, David (Kris) Besch, Steve (Peggy) Besch, Ruth Flores, JoAnn (Chris) Goerdt, Paul (Luanne) Bartleson, Jennifer Swanson, Ann Marie (Brian) Beste, and many great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Monsignor Bleich was preceded in death by his parents Martin and Anna Bleich, his brother Vincent Seiler, sisters Mary Jane Besch and Catherine Bartleson, sister-in-law Margaret Seiler, brothers-in-law Lawrence Besch and Eric Bartleson and nephew-in-law Bradley Swanson.
Memorials may be given in Rev. Msgr. Bleich’s name to the Archdiocese Seminarian Education Fund.
