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This Book of Memories memorial website is designed to be a permanent tribute paying tribute to the life and memory of Fr. Denis Dougherty, O.S.B.. It allows family and friends a place to re-visit, interact with each other, share and enhance this tribute for future generations. We are both pleased and proud to provide the Book of Memories to the families of our community.

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Obituary for Fr. Denis D. Dougherty, O.S.B.

Fr. Denis D.  Dougherty, O.S.B.
Father Denis D. Dougherty, O.S.B., age 89 of Conception Abbey, Conception, Missouri passed away Saturday morning, April 28, 2018 in Mercy Hospital, Springfield, Missouri.

He was born February 27, 1929 in Sioux City, Iowa the youngest son of Jesse J. and Helen M. (Chicoine) Dougherty.

Father Denis graduated from Trinity High School in Sioux City, Iowa in 1947.
After two years at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, he discerned a call to religious life and went to the Benedictine monastery of Conception Abbey. He completed his undergraduate program at Conception Seminary College and professed vows as a monk of the Abbey on September 8, 1952. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 1956.

He received an MA in Sociology from Saint Louis University in 1959 and a PhD from the University of Missouri-Columbia in Educational Psychology in 1964. Father Denis was then appointed as a professor at Conception Seminary College from 1963 until 1972.

Eventually Father Denis shifted the focus of his work away from education to pastoral ministry. He was pastor at Saint Columba Parish in Conception Junction, Missouri from 1978 until 1986, then at Saint Gabriel Parish in Kansas City, Missouri from 1986-1999, and finally at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Springfield, Missouri where he served from 1999 until his death.

Fr. Denis is dearly beloved by his parishioners and all who knew him. He was a model of prayer and ministry to the poor. He always found time to counsel those who sought his help. He was a bold leader who had no trouble trying something new and blazing the way for others. He was a true servant-leader who pitched in with whatever tasks needed doing and he never failed to say thank you to anyone who helped out in any way. He is missed by all!

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse & Helen Dougherty and his older brother, John Dougherty.

Father Denis is survived by his monastic community; one sister-in-law, Shiuvaun (Murphy) Dougherty; one nephew and seven nieces.

Visitation will be held from 6:00pm until 8:00pm on Wednesday evening, May 2, 2018 at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Springfield, Missouri. Vespers will be during the visitation at 7:00pm. A rosary service will begin at 5:40pm in the church.

A Diocesan Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00am Thursday, May 3, 2018 at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Springfield, Missouri with Bishop Edward M. Rice and Bishop John J. Leibrecht celebrants, under the care and direction of Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home in Springfield.

Visitation at Conception Abbey will then be held at 5:30pm Sunday, May 6, 2018, with Vespers of the Faithful Departed at 7:15pm at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Conception, Missouri.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30am, Monday, May 7, 2018 at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Conception, Missouri with Abbot Benedict Neenan, O.S.B. officiating. Burial will follow at St. Columba Cemetery in Conception, Missouri.

Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com .

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