Rev. Father Joseph A. LaPlante, 90, passed away Sunday, January 20, 2019, at St. Elizabeth’s Nursing Home in Wabasha, Minn. Joseph Allen LaPlante was born December 6, 1928, in Rochester, Minn., to Walter and Hazel (Allen) LaPlante.
He grew up in rural Chatfield on the family farm and attended country schools. As a high school freshman in 1946, he entered high school at Crosier Seminary in Onamia, Minn. Fr. LaPlante received his BA from St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, Md., and in 1954 he earned his Theology degree from St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. On June 6, 1954, he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Winona at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona. The following day, Fr. LaPlante celebrated his first Mass at his home parish, St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Chatfield.
Father LaPlante served the Diocese of Winona at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona, and the Newman Center at Winona State University, until entering the U.S. Air Force in 1964. Following his retirement from the Air Force as a full Colonel in 1984, he returned to the Diocese of Winona, where he served the parishes of St. Mary’s in Winona, SS. Peter and Paul in Mazeppa, and St. Patrick’s in West Albany and Hammond. He was granted Senior Priest Status in 1994 and continued as a spiritual director at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, and offered Masses at the Villa Maria Center in Frontenac and St. Elizabeth Healthcare Center in Wabasha.
Father Joe is survived by his brother Jerry (Maureen) LaPlante of Chatfield and his sister Kay Gadient of Goodhue, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Hazel, his brother Walter Jr. (Bud), his sister Jane Rodgers, an infant sister, sister-in-law Verna LaPlante, and brothers-in-law Bill Gadient and Jack Rodgers.
Father LaPlante spent his last years in the care of the staff at St. Elizabeth Healthcare Center in Wabasha. His family thanks the staff for the loving care and concern extended to Fr. Joe during his time in independent living through his hospice care.
Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. Friday, January 25, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Chatfield, Minn. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, concelebrated by The Most Rev. John M. Quinn, Bishop of the Diocese of Winona; Father McGrath, pastor of St. Mary’s; and the priests of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.
Military rites by the Chatfield American Legion and VFW will take place after the Mass prior to burial in Calvary Cemetery in Chatfield.
Riley Funeral Home in Chatfield is assisting the LaPlante family with arrangements. To share a condolence with the family, please visit Rileyfuneralhomes.com.