Reverend Walter Ambrose Bednark

Father Walter Bednark, 98 year old resident of Melrose, MN, died Thursday, December 10 at the Melrose Hospital in Melrose, MN.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, December 15 at 11:30 A.M. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Little Falls, MN with The Most Reverend Donald Kettler presiding. The burial was held at St. Adalbert’s Catholic Cemetery in Little Falls, MN.
Reverend Walter Ambrose Bednark was born on August 22, 1917, in Little Falls, MN. He was the son of Joseph and Mary Janey Bednark. Father Bednark attended public grade school and high school in Little Falls, MN. He continued his studies at Crosier College, Onamia, MN. He received his seminary training at Saint Paul Seminary, Saint Paul, MN. Father Bednark was ordained on May 31, 1947, at the Cathedral of Saint Mary, Saint Cloud, MN, by The Most Reverend Joseph F. Busch. He celebrated his First Mass on June 8, 1947, at Saint Adalbert’s Church, Little Falls, MN.
Father Bednark served in the following assignments: associate pastor, St. Ann’s Church, Wadena, July 1947–July 1948; St. John’s Church, Foley, July 1948–July 1949; pastor, St. Patrick’s Church, Collis, July 1949–June 1955; St. Theresia’s Church, Donnelly, June 1955–June 1963; St. Edward’s Church, Elmdale, June 1963–June 1970; St. Joseph’s Church, Clarissa, June 1970–July 1974; St. Nicholas’ Church, Belle River, July 1974–November 1988. Father Bednark retired on November 11, 1988.Father Bednark served as Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus in Little Falls and Wadena, Minnesota.
Father Bednark was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Peter, Edward, Mike, John, Joseph and Henry, and his sisters, Helen Kulus, Agnes Ries, Ann Bednark, Rose Hasch, and Bessie Bednark.