Fr. Ronald Harrer, OMI, 82, of Belleville, IL, died Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at the Dammert Care Center of the Benedictine Living Community at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville, IL.
Born in 1942 in Minneapolis, MN, to the late Lawrence and Edna (Peterson) Harrer, he spent much of his childhood and youth in Orient, SD. He professed his first vows as a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate in 1963 and was ordained a priest in 1970.
Already as a seminarian, he began his service as a missionary in Brazil in 1966 where he ministered for 24 years. Upon his return to the United States in 1980, he served as archivist of the Oblates’ Central Province in parishes in Minnesota and South Dakota, and for over 20 years as a chaplain at Regions Medical Center in St. Paul, MN. He retired at the Benedictine Living Center in 2021.
Father Ron was preceded in death by his parents; and by his brother, Lawrence.
Mourning his passing are his sisters, Pat Lind of Princeton, MN, and Norma Froning of Orient, SD; 20 nieces and nephews; and about 3,500 Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate serving in 60 countries.
In lieu of flowers, donations for the missions of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate would be greatly appreciated. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 10 to 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at the Chapel of the Benedictine Living Community at the Shrine, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at the Chapel of the Benedictine Living Community at the Shrine, Belleville, IL.
Burial will be at St. Henry’s Oblate Cemetery, Belleville, IL.
