Madison - Reverend Monsignor Kenneth J. Fiedler entered eternal life on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at the age of 76 at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg, Wisconsin. He was born on September 24, 1944 at Mercy Hospital in Janesville, Wisconsin, where his mother was night supervisor.

After attending Nativity of Mary Grade School in Janesville, Msgr. Ken completed his high school and collegiate general studies at Queen of Apostles Seminary in Madison. He completed his collegiate philosophical studies at the Seminary of St. Pius X at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa and his theological studies at St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Msgr. Ken was ordained to the sacred priesthood by The Most Reverend Cletus F. O’Donnell, Bishop of Madison on May 15th, 1971 at Nativity of Mary Parish in Janesville.

Msgr. Fiedler began serving in the Diocese of Madison as a Parochial Vicar at St. William Parish, Janesville (1971-1975), and then at St. Bernard Parish, Madison (1975-1982). Msgr. Ken served as Pastor of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish in Sun Prairie from 1982-1993. He was the Pastor at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Madison, for twenty-eight years, until the time of his death. That pastorship included a linkage of St. Joseph Parish, Madison for two years.

He served on numerous boards and committees in the Diocese of Madison throughout his priesthood including serving as chaplain to the Separated and Divorced Catholics in the Diocese, and several Knights of Columbus Councils. He also served on the St. Vincent DePaul Board, and the Board at Edgewood High School as well as the Diocesan Board of Education. Most notably he helped reopen the Catholic Multicultural Center in 2009 where he continued his work as Pastor, guide and friend to all those in need.

As a priest, Msgr. Ken was a true servant leader and was almost as well known to the guests at the CMC for his breakfast burrito recipe as he was for his sense of justice, generosity, prayer and hospitality. He was an advocate for so many and was a true leader often ahead of his time. He was one of the first priests in the Diocese to welcome girl servers to the sanctuary. He welcomed Bishops and priests from third world countries to his backyard barbecues. He dyed his hair blue as part of a Feed My Sheep fundraising challenge during Catholic Schools Week. No matter what he did, Msgr. Ken always went above and beyond. For these reasons and so many more, he was awarded the Catholic Charities Visionary Leadership Award in 2005. Throughout his life he saw through the eyes of faith: to see the world as God calls us to see it.

Msgr. Ken was a friend, mentor, guide and inspiration to countless people in the Diocese of Madison and beyond. His faithful leadership, his wit and wisdom, courage and compassion will be sorely missed….as will his famous “Christmas toy” homilies.

He is survived by his sister; Grace Stearns of Arlington Heights, and many nieces and nephews. He also will be remembered fondly by countless friends and grateful parishioners.

He was preceded in death by his parents Hayden and Laura (Gerlach) Fiedler as well as his brothers Richard, Stan and Hayden Jr. (Sonny).

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 401 South Owen Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, on Friday, September 3, 2021 at 11:00 am. The Most Reverend Donald J. Hying, Bishop of Madison, will celebrate the Holy Mass, with The Reverend Father James Kuhn as homilist. Live streaming of the Funeral Mass will be available through the Parish Website at Our Lady Queen of Peace (http://qopc.org). A visitation at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church will be held on Thursday, September 2, 2021 from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm, with a prayer service at 7:00 pm, and before the Funeral Mass from 9:30am to 11:00am on Friday, September 3, 2021. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery & Mausoleum, 1827 N. Washington St., Janesville. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish restricted for School Endowment Fund or for the Catholic Multicultural Center.

“I thank all who have prayed, supported and encouraged me in the ministry I truly loved. God Bless!” Msgr. Ken

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

5701 Odana Road

608-274-1000

Kenneth Fiedler

September 24, 1944 - August 28, 2021

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