Redemptorist Father Ray Dompke remembered as a loving spirit

Father Ramon “Ray” Dompke, a Redemptorist priest from Chicago who served at Holy Name Parish in Omaha in the mid-1970s, died Jan. 7 at the rectory of St. Michael Parish in Chicago. He was 85.

A press release from the Redemptorist-Denver Province referred to Father Ray as generous, “with a ready smile and a loving spirit.” He professed his final vows in 1962 and served in parishes throughout the Midwest for more than 50 years, including as associate pastor of Holy Name Parish from 1973-1977.

Although he had to step away from active ministry in the final years of his life, he continued to participate fully in community life and serve his Redemptorist brothers with many small acts of kindness, the press release said.

A funeral Mass was offered Jan. 12 at St. Michael in the Old Town section of Chicago. Interment was to take place at Redemptorist Cemetery in Liguori, Missouri, on Jan. 20.