Reverend George Klasinski

Reverend George W. Klasinski, 92, of Topeka, passed away on April 14, 2018 at Homestead of Topeka.

He was born September 30, 1925 in Leavenworth, Kansas the son of Ignatius and Emily (Cerletti) Klasinski.

He attended St. Joseph Grade School and Immaculate High School in Leavenworth. He entered the seminary in 1943 as a student at St. Benedict College, Atchison. He transferred to Conception Seminary at Conception, Missouri in 1944 where he earned a B.A. Degree in Education. He was ordained May 25, 1951 at his home parish of St. Joseph in Leavenworth by Bishop Marling of Kansas City, Missouri Diocese. After ordination he served as Pastoral Assistant at St. Rose of Lima parish in Kansas City, Ks. for several months before being appointed Pastoral Assistant to St. Joseph Parish, Topeka and Administrator to St. Aloysius Parish, Meriden. During this time he was also a religion instructor at Hayden High School. From 1955 to 1958 he was pastor of St. Joseph Church in Waverly with the Mission of St. Anthony parish at Homewood. From 1958 to 1966 he was pastor of Sacred Heart Church at Paxico-Newbury. From 1966 to 1974 he was Pastor of Sacred Heart Church at Baileyville. From 1974 to 1978 he was Pastor at St. Gregory’s Church in Marysville with missions at Blue Rapids and Waterville serving St. Elizabeth and St. Monica churches. While at Marysville he and his co-pastor Fr. James Shaughnessy directed the building of their new parish church and hall. From 1978 to 1995 he served as Chaplain at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka. While hospital chaplain he served in 1980 as administrator of the Mission Parish of Sacred Heart at Delia, Kansas. During his years in Topeka as hospital chaplain he assisted at various times with services at Holy Name and Assumption parishes; served as Chaplain to the Knights of Columbus Council #534 and the 4th Degree Council, James W. Gibbons Assembly 0286 and served in 1983 and 1984 as State Chaplain to the Knights of Columbus. He was chaplain to the Daughters of Isabella Little Flower Circle #503 and served a year as their State Chaplain. He was Auxiliary Chaplain to the Air National Guard at Forbes Field for several years; Moderator to the Topeka Region of the Ladies of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women; and was Chaplain to the R.E.A.C.H. Program for the handicapped. While working in Nemaha-Marshall counties he served for several years on the Board of the Kanza Mental Health Clinic in Hiawatha. He was a member of the Jesus Caritas Fraternity of Priests; a member of the Knife and Fork Club of Topeka and was a Benedictine Oblate.

Due to ill health he retired from active duty in November of 1994.

He is predeceased by two brothers; Roman G. Klasinski who died in 1972 and Herman A. Klasinski who died in 1983. He is survived by two sisters, Louise Ambrosini of Santa Rosa, California and Anita Skinner of Novato, California and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Rev. George Klasinski will lie in state at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Topeka on Sunday, April 22, from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. where a Parish Rosary will be prayed at 5:00 p.m.  followed by a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus Chalice Ceremony.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, April 23, at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Graveside committal services will be held at 3:00 p.m. at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Leavenworth, Kansas.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Mt. St. Scholastica in Atchison, Sisters of Charity in Leavenworth, St. Joseph Church Renovation Project or the Marian Dental Clinic sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66603.

Online condolences and fond memories may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.