Father Oliver Joseph Dufresne, age 96, died October 10, 2016 at Little Sisters of the Poor in St. Paul. The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, OCTOBER 21st at the Church of the Epiphany, 111th and Hanson Blvd NW, Coon Rapids. A visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M., with the Rosary at 5:00 P.M. and a Prayer Service at 5:30 P.M., followed by a sharing time, on Thursday, OCTOBER 20th at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 207 N. Co Rd 23, Isanti. A visitation will also be held one hour prior to the funeral Friday at the Church of the Epiphany, Coon Rapids. Memorials preferred c/o Ray Spencer.
Our deepest sympathy and prayer is extended to the Joel and Deb Rhein family. I know you were very close to Father Dufresne. Thank you for taking care of him and extending your friendship and love. He was a good shepherd of God’s flock and I know he will be missed by all those whose lives he touched. May God grant him eternal rest.
” Of all the people I’ve seen today-you’re one of them” rest in peace Father Ollie-I will miss you here, but am so happy for having known you and Blessed-I’m sure when you met God face to face-He probably told you “Well done My Good and Faithful Servant” Thank you for all your prayers and the memories. I loved your stories and I am so thankful for having received a Blessing when last I saw you. Thanks Sue for not forgetting us-Love and Peace to you and I will say some prayers for you and for Father Ollie and for his family and all who loved him.
Congratulations Father Ollie! You made it home. :)
You lived a full life ministering to the poor and rejected and your Listening House legacy will live on.
Ariadna and I are so honored to have been able to assist you at your final moments as you entered into glory and the beatific vision.
You are to many a mentor, brother, advisor, priest and spiritual father. And I am indebted to you my friend.
God bless you for life and devotion to your vocation.
Father Ollie,Our dear uncle grand, uncle and priest.Thank you for the example of being a humble and loving servant;speaking God’s truth in all places at all times regardless of the externals and circumstances.So many life memories you have given and times that we shared the Eucharist thanks to you and your ministry as a Catholic priest. Like the prayer card, that still sits on my dresser, that you gave to me with your assurance that you would pray for me and in the words contained on the card by St.Thomas More,”Pray for me, as I will for thee,that we may merrily meet in heaven.” God bless you and keep you and let His face shine upon you Father Ollie.Amen.
Father Ollie,
I will always pray for you; and I ask you to continue to pray for my family and I. Thanks for all the masses you’ve said and confessions you’ve heard and for baptizing my children.
May the good Lord reward you for faithfulness to Him and your vocation.
“If I don’t see you in the future, I’ll see you in the pasture”.
Rest in Peace, my dear Uncle.
Thanks for being a great priest and friend. You were a shining light in this dark world by bringing hope to us. Pray for us dear friend from up above. You know we need those prayers badly. Rest in peace now . Yet know your memories live on. You are missed.
Theisen Family