Father Lawrence E. Grennan

Father Lawrence E. Grennan, 74, of Ogden, Kansas, died May 22, 2015 at Homecare and Hospice in Manhattan.

Fr. Larry was born on November 19, 1940 to Frank and Margaret (Heidrick) Grennan in Ionia, Kansas. He attended East Buffalo Rural, Jewell Elementary, and he graduated from Jewell Rural High School in 1958. He earned a BA of Philosophy from St. Benedict College in Atchison, Kansas in 1962 and then studied at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., earning his theological degree in 1966. He later earned a Master of Divinity in Pastoral Ministry from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska in 1977.

Fr. Larry was ordained on May 28, 1966 by Bishop Cyril Vogel at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Mankato. He was assistant pastor at St. Mary, Queen of the Universe Parish in Salina from 1966 to 1969, followed by Sacred Heart in Colby from 1969 to 1971, and Seven Dolors in Manhattan from 1971 to 1973. In 1973, he received his first assignment as pastor and served in that role at St. Patrick in Ogden while assisting at Seven Dolors until 1975.

From 1975 to 1980, he served as the pastor of St. Joseph Parish in New Almelo and Immaculate Conception Parish in Leoville as part of the Northwest Kansas Team Ministry Project. He was pastor of St. Phillip in Hope and St. Columba in Elmo from 1980 to 1984, followed by St. Patrick in Lincoln from 1984 to 1988, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Salina from 1988 to 1993, Seven Dolors in Manhattan and St. Patrick in Ogden from 1993 to 2005, and Sts. Peter and Paul in Clay Center and St. Anthony in Miltonvale until his retirement. Fr. Larry retired to Ogden on June 30, 2014.

Fr. Larry was a member of the Committee for Continuing Education for approximately 14 years during the 1970s and early 1980s, serving as Chairperson for most of that time. He was appointed Coordinator of Religious Education for the Salina Diocese in 1980; he served in that role for 8 years. From 1982 to 1988, he authored, planned, and executed the Diocesan Catechist Certification Program. He was the Director of Diocesan Planning from 1990 to 1994, and he was a member of the Clergy Personnel Board for the Salina Diocese from 2004 to 2012.

Additionally, Fr. Larry was the Chairperson for the National Convention of the Conference for Diocesan Directors and Religious Educators in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1983.

He took two sabbaticals, spending four months in Louvain, Belgium in 1990 and four months at the School of Applied Theology in Oakland, California, in 2004.

Fr. Larry enjoyed travel, golf, sporting events, a good meal, and spending time with family and friends. We will miss his cheerful greetings, hospitality, kindness, listening ear, and guidance.

Fr. Larry was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Richard. Survivors include brothers W. Joseph (Gerry) Grennan of Littleton, Colorado, Dennis (Coni) Grennan of Columbus, Nebraska, and Tom (Carol) Grennan of Silver Lake, Kansas, sister-in-law JoAnn Grennan of Omaha, Nebraska; 13 nieces and nephews; and 34 great nieces and great nephews.

The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Dr. Douglas Hinkin, Dr. Travis Koeneke, the Staff at Via Christi Hospital, and the caregivers at Homecare and Hospice for their compassion and sensitivity in Fr. Larry's final days.

Father Larry will lie in state from 9:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at the McDonald Funeral Home and from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church where the Parish Vigil and Rosary will begin at 7:00 P.M.
Bishop Edward Weisenburger will celebrate the Funeral Mass on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia, KS.