Fr. Kenneth Paul Rosswog, O.F.M.

Manitowoc, WI

JUNE 18, 1930 – JUNE 17, 2026

Fr. Kenneth Paul Rosswog, O.F.M., a Franciscan friar of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with its headquarters in Atlanta, GA, died, in hospice care, two hours before his 96th birthday, on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at St. Mary’s Nursing Home in Felician Village, Manitowoc, WI.
Fr. Ken was born in Quincy, IL, on June 18, 1930, the eldest child of Frederick J. and Gertrude (Geers) Rosswog. He was baptized and confirmed and received his elementary education at St. Francis Solanus Church and School in Quincy, IL. Growing up in a devout Catholic family, he discerned his vocation to religious life at an early age, and entered St. Joseph Franciscan Seminary in Westmont, IL for high school and the first two years of college. On July 4, 1950, he was received into the Franciscan novitiate in Teutopolis, IL and was given the religious name of “Sennen”. He made his simple profession there on July 5, 1951. His studies continued with 3 years of philosophy studies at Our Lady of the Angels in Cleveland, OH, followed by four years of theology at St. Joseph Seminary in Teutopolis, IL. Provincial Eligius Weir, O.F.M. received his solemn profession as a Franciscan, in Teutopolis, on July 5, 1954. At the end of his studies in Teutopolis, Bishop Henry A. Pinger, O.F.M., ordained him to the diaconate on December 9, 1956, and to the priesthood on June 24, 1957.
After his year of pastoral formation in Quincy, IL, Fr. Sennen began a teaching career at the high school seminary in Westmont, IL. His favorite subject to teach was mathematics, but he also taught Latin, Orientation, Religion, and any other disciplines he was asked to undertake during his 19 years of residence and teaching at the seminary. After a year sabbatical in Bonn, Germany in 1973-74, where he also served as the chaplain at the American Embassy, Fr. Ken returned to Oak Brook, IL concluding his years there by also serving in the Franciscan Vocation Office. For 40 years, from 1979 to 2019, he served in parish ministry in parishes in Omaha, NE, St. Louis, MO, Cleveland, OH, and Teutopolis, IL. He also served the legacy Sacred Heart Province as Provincial Secretary from 1990 to 1992, and numerous times in community leadership as guardian and vicar. In 2019, he retired to Blessed Giles Friary in Manitowoc, WI. He lived in Manitowoc for seven years, the final year and a half at St. Mary’s Home in Felician Village. He died at St. Mary’s on Wednesday, June 17th, the night before his 96th birthday.
Fr. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Gertrude Rosswog, by his sister, Sr. Rose Anthony, SSND, his sister and her husband, Vera and Frank Ley, a brother-in-law, Roger Geers, a great niece, Leanne Cady, and by other relatives and friends along with his brothers in the Franciscan Order.
He is survived by one sister, Carol Geers and her four children: Jeannie (Ron) Reddick, Randy Geers, Brenda (Ken) Gustafson, and Karen Morris; and by the eight children of Vera and Frank Ley: Nancy Walker, Frank (Sue) Ley, Ken Ley, Mary Beth (Al) Sanchez, Patty Ley, David (Cathy) Ley, Donna (Tim) Brecht, and James Ley, along with numerous other relatives and friends as well as his many brothers in his Franciscan province.
Fr. Ken was beloved by his family, his Franciscan brothers, his many friends and parishioners in the places where he served throughout his Franciscan life. He enjoyed playing tennis and listening to classical music. One of his favorite and unusual hobbies was decorating eggs to be used as Christmas ornaments. He made hundreds over his lifetime and gifted many people with them. Throughout his years of ministry, this gentle, peaceful friar faithfully accompanied countless people with a quiet and generous spirit. In his own words, at the time of his 60th Jubilee as a priest, he said: “My years in the priesthood have been a great blessing and I am more and more grateful as the years pass. As I look back, I am filled with awe when I realize how wonderful God has been with me these 60 years.”
The friars would like to express their appreciation to Fr. Ken’s many caregivers at Blessed Giles Friary, as well as the staffs at St. Mary’s Nursing Home in Felician Village and the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice in Sheboygan Falls, WI and Manitowoc, WI.
A prayer service for Fr. Ken will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Pfeffer Funeral Home, Manitowoc, WI, and, then after cremation, a Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at Blessed Giles Friary, 1820 Grand Avenue, Manitowoc, WI 54220.
Fr. Ken’s cremains will be taken to his home town of Quincy, IL, and a funeral service will be held in the Quincy University chapel, at 1:00 P.M., on Friday, July 3, 2026, followed immediately by the inurnment of his cremains in the friars’ plot in Calvary Cemetery.
In your kindness, please consider making a donation in memory of Fr. Kenneth Rosswog, O.F.M. for the continued care of the retired Franciscan brothers and priests of the province. Any donation would be greatly appreciated. Please send your charitable donation to: Franciscan Friars of Missouri for the benefit of Blessed Giles Friary, 3140 Meramec Street, St. Louis, MO 63118. Attn: Finance Office. May God bless you.
The Lakeshore Family Funeral Home, Pfeffer location, Manitowoc, WI is assisting the friars with funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting: http://www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com/pfeffer-funeral-home-obituaries.