Gilbert Joseph DeSutter was born on April 28, 1928, in Ghent, Minnesota, to Charles and Bertha (Van Hee) DeSutter. He attended Catholic Grade School and St. Eloiâs in Ghent and Public High School in Minneota. Gilbert continued his education for two years at St. Johnâs in Collegeville and six years at the St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul. In addition to his theological degree, he completed his Masters Degree in Counseling at St. Thomas University. On June 5th, 1954, Rev. Gilbert DeSutter was ordained a priest at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul, Minnesota, by the Most Rev. James Byrne as the ordaining prelate.
Father DeSutterâs priestly assignments in the Diocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis were to be the Assistant at the parishes of St. Markâs in St. Paul for a year and nine months, at St. Maryâs in St. Paul for three months, at Annunciation Minneapolis for eight years and at St. Peterâs in Richfield for four years. The next assignment was to be the Spiritual Director of the newly established College Seminary at the University of St. Thomas. He then returned to parish work as the pastor of Immaculate Conception in Faribault for seven years, St. Williamâs in Fridley for six years and St. Michaelâs in Prior Lake for nine years. Fr. DeSutter retired in 1994 and helped out in various parishes in the Twin City area until he moved to Mesa, Arizona in 1999, where he again helped out a parish for the next ten years. He also volunteered at a Vincent De Paul store for some nine years spending two days a week helping out at the store.
During the pastoring years of his life, Fr. DeSutter was very active in the Quest program (an overnight retreat for high school students) and Cursillo (a four day retreat for adults.) He was the Spiritual Director for about thirty weekends of each of these programs. He also enjoyed serving in the sacramental ministry to the Poor Clare Sisters of South Minneapolis and the Carmelite Sisters of Hudson, Wisconsin.
Father Gilbert died on Friday, July 15, 2016, under hospice care at a family residence in Marshall. He is survived by his sisters; Bernadette Stassen of Marshall, Prudence (and Vincent) Boerboom of Marshall, Angele Coudron of Marshall and Charlotte (and Richard) Polfliet of Mesa, Arizona, thirty two nephews and nieces and many grand and great grand nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by is parents, Charles and Bertha DeSutter, brothers and wives Henry and Margaret DeSutter, Lawrence and Elaine DeSutter, Brother Charles OSB of St. Meinrad, Indiana, brothers-in-law Eloi Stassen and Francis Coudron, two nephews Patrick and Gilbert Stassen.
May he rest in peace.
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