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Rev. George Weibel, a priest for 60 years in 4 Colo. churches

By Melanie Asmar, Special to the Rocky

Published November 20, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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Rev. George Weibel started churches in Broomfield and Littleton.

Photo by Special to the Rocky

Rev. George Weibel started churches in Broomfield and Littleton.

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His mother perhaps first heard the Rev. George Weibel's calling. She had 10 children, and she watched most grow up to be farmers, builders and electricians. Her 10th, she decided, would be a priest.

"His mother put him on the train and sent him to pontifical college," said the Rev. Weibel's nephew, Joseph Weibel, of Broomfield.

Her decision proved wise. The Rev. Weibel spent 60 years as a Catholic priest, known for his calm demeanor and knack for making friends. In that time, he served as pastor of four Colorado churches and built two, sometimes literally digging dirt for the foundations.

"He's a good model for a priest," said the Rev. Jerry Rohr. "Love your parishioners. Do the best you can for them. And no matter how many sage decisions you have to make in the office, you sometimes still have to go out and shovel snow and fix the toilet."

The Rev. Weibel died Nov. 1 at his home in Aurora. He was 86.

He was born March 2, 1922, on a farm near Stratton. He went to Catholic grade school in town and then to Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, for high school and college.

He was ordained in 1948. During the next six decades, he served at Holy Family Church and Our Lady of Lourdes in Denver, as well as others. He also started two churches: Nativity of Our Lord in Broomfield and St. Francis Cabrini in Littleton.

Friends and family said the Rev. Weibel loved children and would often take young parishioners ice skating, swimming and on picnics. He also liked to garden and was almost never without his pipe.

"It sort of formed a permanent indent in his two front teeth," said Rohr, a friend who first served with him at Our Lady of Lourdes.

Joseph Weibel said he'll remember his uncle as a frugal man - he never smoked expensive tobacco - who was quick with a smile and a bit of good advice, the best of which was to be humble.

The Rev. Weibel is survived by dozens of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. His nine brothers and sisters died earlier.

A Mass for the Rev. Weibel was celebrated last week in Denver. Donations in his memory may be made to the Priests Retirement Fund c/o Archdiocese of Denver, 1300 S. Steele St., Denver, CO 80210.