Fr. Roger L. Geditz

In lieu of flowers, Father Geditz requested memorials be sent to Chief Financial Officer, Catholic Bishop of Northern Alaska/Diocese of Fairbanks, Alaska, at 1316 Peger Rd, Fairbanks, AK, 99709, the Knights of Columbus, your home parish, or a parish of your choosing.

Father Roger L. Geditz, 90, of Ipswich, SD, passed away Thursday, November 30, 2023, at Avera Mother Joseph Manor, Aberdeen, SD.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Ipswich, SD.

Burial will be at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Monday, at the church with a liturgical wake at 7 p.m.  Visitation continues one hour before Mass at the church.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Roger L. Geditz was born on January 21, 1933, on the family farm in rural Ipswich, SD, to Peter Jr and Josephine (Sindelar) Geditz. He was the third oldest of 14 children. He attended country schools and graduated from Ipswich High School in 1950.

After graduation, Roger farmed for 11 years before ultimately deciding to pursue a different career. He attended Blue Cloud Abbey for a short time before he moved to Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, and attended Resurrection College for four years. He then attended St. Bernards Seminary for Theology in Dubuque, Iowa, for four years.

Roger was ordained as a Catholic priest on May 29, 1969, in Ipswich, SD, by Bishop Lambert Hoch. He served in many parishes, including St. Lambert’s in Sioux Falls, Christ the King in Sioux Falls, St Anthony’s in Selby, St. John de Britto’s in Britton, St. Anthony’s in Hecla, St. Peter’s in Platte, St. Joseph’s in rural Robey, St. Ann in Geddes, St. Liborius in Polo, St Joseph’s in Orient, St. Ann in Humboldt, St. Patrick’s in Montrose, St. Joseph’s in Wellington, Sacred Heart in Aberdeen, Immaculate Conception in Watertown, St. Bernard’s in Redfield, and St Ann in Frankfort. After retirement in 2003, he continued substituting for many parishes, including Eskimo villages in Alaska and he gave many retreats.

Father Roger loved our Lord Jesus and sought to love the people he was sent to serve. He also had a love for gardening, playing the piano, and enjoyed Big Band music. Roger also followed and cheered for the Cleveland Indians baseball team. Once a farmer, always a farmer, Roger kept a change of clothes with him at all times in case a farmer should need an extra hand.

He is survived by his brothers: Bernard “Mike” Geditz of Ipswich, Raymond (Karen) Geditz of Ipswich, Peter J Geditz of Ipswich, Gerald (Mary) Geditz of Mansfield, and Jerome (Pat) Geditz of Ipswich; sisters: Deloris Thares of Ipswich, Marie (Wayne) Enstice of Kentucky, Judy (Marvin) Seyer of Ipswich, Patty Schweitzer of Nevada, Jeanne Bieber of Bowdle, and Susan Klang of Minnesota; sister-in-law, Marion Geditz; and many nieces and nephews.

Roger was preceded by his parents; brothers Robert J Geditz and James Geditz; sisters-in-law Lillian Geditz, Camille Geditz, Pat Geditz, and Beth Geditz; and brothers-in-law Bernard Thares, Leonard Schweitzer, and Dennis Bieber.