WAUPACA, Wis.— Father Theodore Vincent Lewandowski peacefully died in his home in Waupaca, Wis., on June 15, 2022. He was 91 years old.
Father Lewandowski was born Aug. 31, 1930, and grew up in Chicago. He studied at Holy Ghost Mission Seminary in East Troy, Wis.; St. Mary Novitiate; St. Paul Seminary; and St. Mary Seminary in Techny.
After his wife, Patricia, passed away in 1996, Father “Ted” responded to God’s call to resume his studies for the priesthood at Sacred Heart Seminary in Hales Corners, Wis.
He had previously studied for the priesthood in his college years, but it was not the time for him to fulfill God’s calling. He was a teacher of English and foreign languages for over 32 years with the Chicago Public School District.
Father Lewandowski was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Thomas G. Doran, at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Rockford, May 16, 1998.
After his ordination, Father Lewandowski served as parochial vicar at St. Bernadette Parish in Rockford from June 9, 1998 until Nov. 1, 1999. He then served as parochial administrator and pastor of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Menominee from Nov. 1, 1999, until he retired on July 1, 2005.
In retirement, he continued to assist in parish ministry in the Rockford Diocese until 2007.
In 2007, he moved to Waupaca, Wis., where he helped the Diocese of Green Bay in various ways, including services at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Almond, Wis., and most recently was the priest celebrant for St. Patrick’s Parish in Lebanon, Wis., since 2017.
Father Lewandowski was preceded in death by his father Theodore, his mother Carole and his wife, Patricia (Trish) Marie (Mulligan) Lewandowski to whom he was married for 32 years.
He is survived by his three children, Anne (Jay), Mark (Anna) and Catherine, and is a grandfather to Tom and Emma Kobitter and Isabelle Lewandowski. He is loved by many cousins, as well. Father Lewandowski is brother of Gerald (Pat) and Judith (Bob) and preceded in death by his sisters Janice Gerstenecker, (Charles Sr.), Mary Ann McBean, and Joyce Cooper.
Father Lewandowski was known for his quick wit and kind and compassionate spirit and love for God. He loved to travel and his carpentry skills will not be forgotten.
Visitation will be held June 24, 9-11 a.m., at St. Mary Magdalene Parish, N2845 Shadow Rd., Waupaca, Wis., followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Rite of Committal will take place at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cemetery, 15406 W. Creek Valley Rd., Menominee, Ill., June 28 at 1:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, Father Lewandowski’s family suggests donations to the Catholic Priests Retirement Fund for the Rockford Diocese.
