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Visitation and
Mass of Christian Burial
Thursday, March 26, 2015
St. James Church
Liberty, MO
9-11 a.m.
Mass of Christian Burial
Friday, March 27, 2015
St. Benedict Church
Nebraska City, NE
10:30 a.m.
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Brother Stephen J. Ohnmacht, C.PP.S.
May 28, 1946 - March 23, 2015
Brother Stephen J. Ohnmacht, C.PP.S. of the Kansas City Province of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood died early Monday morning, March 23, 2015 at Our Lady of Mercy Country Home in Liberty, Mo. He was 68 years old.
Stephen Joy Ohnmacht was born on May 28, 1946 in Nebraska City, Neb., to Chris and Helen (Volkmer) Ohnmacht. He entered Brunnerdale Seminary in Canton, Ohio, on September 6, 1960. After graduation from Brunnerdale, Steve entered St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Ind. While studying at St. Joseph's, he discerned his vocation to be a brother. Steve entered the Brothers Formation Program and in 1965 entered the Novitiate at Burkettsville, Ohio. He made his Temporary Incorporation on August 15, 1966 at St. Charles Seminary, Carthagena, Ohio. His Definitive Incorporation took place at St. Charles on August 15, 1969. He was known in the community by his religious name, Brother Fabian, until he returned to his baptismal name, Stephen, in 1977.
Following his Temporary Incorporation, Brother Steve worked in the electrical maintenance shop at St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer. In June, 1968, he was assigned to the staff at Precious Blood Seminary in Liberty, Mo., where he remained until the seminary closed in 1983 and the property was sold. In 1986, Brother Steve began working for Immacolata Manor in Liberty. In 1996, he began working part-time at Immacolata as his responsibilities at Precious Blood Center increased following the death of his good friend, Brother Carl Mueller, C.PP.S.
Throughout his religious life, Brother Steve was committed to serving the Precious Blood community. In addition to his service at Precious Blood Seminary and Precious Blood Center, Brother Steve served in the Vocation Office in the 1970s, as director of Brother Formation in the 1980s, and on the Formation Committee for several years. He was elected to the Provincial Council in 1983 and served one term until 1987. Brother Steve was also a member of the Future's Steering Committee in the 1980s. As an active member of St. James Parish in Liberty, Brother Steve worked on the RCIA team at St. James for many years.
One of the highlights of Brother Steve's life was visiting the Precious Blood Mission in Tanzania in 1999 where his good friend, Father Timothy Coday, C.PP.S., managed the C.PP.S. Water Project in Dodoma, Tanzania. The time he spent in Tanzania motivated Brother Steve to raise awareness and funds in the United States for the project that dug wells to provide clean water for the people of Tanzania.
Brother Steve was a loyal friend to many and kept in touch with former students at Precious Blood Seminary and former members of the community. He always looked forward to going to reunions with former classmates and seminarians.
Diagnosed with cancer in October 2010, Brother Steve faced his illness with a deep faith, patience, and prayer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Chris and Helen Ohnmacht.
Brother Steve is survived by two brothers, David, who with his wife, Linda, live in Centennial, Colo., and Stan and his wife, Karen, of Nebraska City, Neb.; a niece, Sabrina Ohnmacht of Bellevue, Neb.; and a step-niece and nephew, Bryony Lovelette and Ian Lovelette of Denver, Colo.; aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Visitation will be at St. James Church in Liberty, Mo., from 9 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 26, 2015, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial, beginning at 11 a.m. Father Joseph Miller, C.PP.S. will preside and preach. On Friday, March 27, 2015, a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Benedict Church in Nebraska City, Neb., at 10:30 a.m., with burial following at St. Benedict Cemetery in Nebraska City.
May he rest in God's gracious peace.
Arrangements are through Fry-Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Kearney.
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