Fr. William Ovsak

Fr. William T. Ovsak

Born July 24, 1938, at St. Michaels Hospital, Grand Forks, ND - Entered Eternal Rest, on July 22, 2024.

His parents were John Stephen and Margaret Mary, deceased, his mother in 1946 with her burial in Notre Dame Cemetery, Chicago, IL. His father was buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Frazee, MN in 1967. His brothers and sisters were George William, deceased in 1967. John Edward (Vietnam Veteran) deceased in 2014, JoAnn Marie, deceased in 2015, Vaughn, deceased in 2020, and Richard – living. 

Fr. William grew up in Frazee, MN, graduating from High School in 1957 and went on to Junior College in Wahpeton, ND. Upon graduation, he entered Moorhead State University, receiving a degree in Physical Education with a minor in Business Education. Upon his graduation in 1963 after serving in the US Army, he was given the honor to teach high school and coach in Oakes, ND. A year later, he was given the honor to move to Hood River, OR to also teach and coach for two more years. Further honors came after receiving his Master’s Degree at Moorhead State and moving to Wahpeton, ND to teach and coach at the SSS. In 1993, he was allowed to enter Cardinal Muench Seminary for study and preparation for ordination into the priesthood. Upon six years of seminary training at Cardinal Muench and the Josephenium in Columbus, OH, he was ordained a priest serving the Diocese of Fargo with his first assignment at Holy Family Catholic in Grand Forks followed by assignment at Drayton, Pembina Churches. He was then sent to Carmel of Mary in Wahpeton serving the sisters at Carmel and also at Fairmount for five years. The opportunity followed to allow him to become a civilian chaplain for the US Army at Ft. Bragg, NC serving there for three years. Upon the death of a priest, he was sent to serve for three years at Fessenden, Hurdesfield, McClusky for three years. Upon completing his mission there, he was asked to serve at St. Alphonsus parish in Langdon as an assistant pastor until his retirement on July 1, 2021. 

Final thoughts with his burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery, on his stone, are the words Ora Pro Nobis. Devoted and thankful to the Blessed Virgin Mary with making his formal consecration in 1991 at Carmel of Mary, he asks for prayers not only for his soul but for all and especially mothers…”Ora Pro Nobis” O Blessed Virgin Mary, “Pray for us,” now and at the hour of our death, Amen!

Obituary written by Fr. William T. Ovsak

Visitation will be at Vertin-Munson Funeral Home in Wahpeton, ND on Thursday, July 25, 2024, from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm, with a prayer service at 7:00 pm.  His Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, July 26, 2024, at Sts. Anne & Joachim Catholic Church, 5202 25th St S, Fargo, ND 58104, at 10:00 am, with a Rosary one hour before the Liturgy.