News

Father Bartek served at archdiocesan parishes and at Boys Town

Father William Bartek, who served several urban and rural parishes and for nine years at Boystown in Omaha, died Jan. 4 in Omaha. He was 86.

Visitation is set for Jan. 14 at 10:15 at St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha, followed by a funeral Mass at 11:15. Masks are required. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

A native of Omaha, Father Bartek was one of five siblings who entered religious life, including two brothers who became priests, and two sisters who were Sinsinawa Dominican sisters.

Father Bartek grew up in St. Cecilia Parish and attended St. Cecilia School and Cathedral High School. He completed his priestly studies at Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, and Conception Seminary in Conception, Missouri.

He was ordained in 1961 and began his priestly ministry as assistant pastor at St. Michael Parish in South Sioux City.

He also served in Omaha as assistant pastor at the former St. Richard Parish from 1963 to 1964 and at St. Peter Parish from 1964 to 1967, and in Norfolk at Sacred Heart Parish in 1967.

In 1968, Father Bartek became pastoral assistant at Immaculate Conception Parish at Boys Town in Omaha, where he served until his retirement in 1977 due to health concerns. He most recently resided at the St. John Vianney Retirement Center in Omaha.

He was preceded in death by parents, Dr. J. G. and Bernadette (Connor) Bartek, brothers, Father James Bartek, Donald Bartek and John Bartek, and sisters, Beverly Reynolds and Kay Wajdak. He is survived by a sister, Sister Barbara Bartek, OP, nieces and nephews.

Sign up for weekly updates and news from the Archdiocese of Omaha!
This is default text for notification bar