The Rev. Msgr. Joseph W. Mountain -- Rochester

The Rev. Msgr. Joseph Mountain, 91, of Rochester, died on Thursday (March 14, 2019) at Madonna Towers in Rochester, where he had lived since 2008.

A mass of Christian burial will be offered for Msgr. Mountain at 2 p.m. on Monday at the Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Rochester. Officiating will be the Most Rev. John M. Quinn, Bishop of Winona-Rochester and the priests of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.

Visitation for family and friends will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester.

Joseph William Mountain was born on Aug. 13, 1927 in Mankato to Thomas and Margaret (Norton) Mountain.

He grew up in Mankato, where he attended parochial school, Loyola H.S. and graduated from Loras Academy in Dubuque, IA.

Joe attended Loras College from 1944 to 1948 receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in the Classics. He then entered the St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul.

He was ordained on May 1, 1952 at Good Counsel Convent in Mankato by the Most Rev. Edward A. Fitzgerald. Msgr. Mountain’s assignments as Parochial Vicar were at Sts. Peter and Paul in Blue Earth, St. John the Evangelist in Rochester and St. Joseph the Worker in Mankato.

As pastor, he served at St. Rose of Lima in Avoca, St. Mary in Lake Wilson, St. Columban in Preston, St. Mary in Winona, St. John the Evangelist in Rochester, St. John Baptist de la Salle in Dodge Center, Holy Family in Kasson, Sacred Heart in Hayfield and Sacred Heart in Waseca.

Other notable assignments include teaching religion and social studies at Lourdes H.S. in Rochester; Parochial Administrator for St. Bernard in Stewartville, St. Mary in Lake City, St. Ignatius in Spring Valley and St. Mary in Ellsworth; Regional Episcopal Vicar; Dean for the Mankato deanery; Moderator for the Council of Catholic Women and member of the College of Consultors. After joining the rank of senior priests on August 1, 1995 he served as Priest Moderator for St. Teresa in Mapleton, St. Matthew in Vernon Center and St. Joseph in Good Thunder. Fr. Mountain was presented as a Monsignor candidate by Bishop John Vlazny and became Msgr. Mountain on Dec. 5, 1997. He lived on Cannon Lake in Faribault for a number of years. Fr. Joe enjoyed reading, traveling, including many trips overseas, boating and was a die-hard Vikings fan.

Fr. Joe is survived by cousins and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother — John Mountain.

Memorials are suggested to the Priest’s Retirement Fund in the Winona-Rochester Diocese. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville.

Online condolences and memories of Msgr. Mountain are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com.