Donald L. Kercher
April 8, 1938 ~ September 28, 2020
Donald's Live Streamed Funeral Mass can be viewed below starting at 10:00 A.M. on Friday:
Donald L. Kercher was born in Fargo, ND in 1938. He passed away on September 28th. Don lived his life quietly, with humility and humor. He felt called to help others, first as a priest in the Diocese of Fargo in the 1960s, and later as an addiction counselor at St. John’s Hospital and Southeast Human Services. His understanding and respect for all people served him well in these professions. He developed many lasting friendships.
Don deeply loved his family and friends. After leaving the priesthood, he married his wife Patricia in 1974. Several years later, they welcomed their only child, Rachel. He shared a close relationship with his cousins, and enjoyed visiting with them as often as he could. His friends could count on him for help, or even just a kind word and a cup of coffee.
Don lived a life guided by his faith. Although he left the priesthood, he was always trying to learn more about religion, faith, and the sacredness of creation. He freely shared his spiritual journey and understanding with those entering the Catholic Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. He also worked in Spiritual Services at Riverview Place after he retired from Southeast Human Services. He valued the time he spent working and praying with the residents and their families.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Adam and Ethel, and his wife Patricia. He is survived by his daughter Rachel, his honorary daughters Ida and Kristin, his beloved dog Sara, and many treasured cousins and friends. Don was a warm, caring and supportive gentleman, who will be missed by all who knew him.
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I knew Don as a priest and a teacher at St Catherine’s in Valley City. He was an excellent teacher and his homilies were always thought provoking. It was a pleasure to be around him.
RIP Don.
I am so sorry to learn of Don’s death!
This man stole my heart the moment I met him in 2006. He was such an amazing man and the world was a better place with him in it. I’m truly heartbroken to hear of his loss. Rachel, please know your dad left a mark in the world. He was so funny and thoughtful and truly a loving man. He helped so many people and was such an inspiration to me. I’ll miss his surprise drop-in visits to SE, the cards he would send me every year for Hanukkah and Yom Kippur and his smile. I’m so blessed to have crossed paths with him. He was so fun to work with and I loved photographing your parents and their dogs. My heart is heavy. Fly high and proud, sweet Don. You will be missed!
Heartfelt sympathy to Don’s family. Our history goes back over 50 years, especially the years at St. Anthony’s. Treasured memories forever in our hearts. God’s Peace✝️🕊
Eternal rest grant unto this very good man.
Good morrow, dear Don. Such a joy to merry you at Riverview. We miss you.
Good morrow, dear Don. We miss you.
Din grew up with my Mother Lois my aunt Marie and uncle Hank. We loved when he would visit us in Colorado. I will remember all of the wonderful stories. May you Rest In Peace with our Lord and savior.
Theresa Guerin Lasecke
Don Kercher was, at first, one of my trainers at St.Johns Hospital in the Chemical Dependency Unit. He called me, Mariah for all the years afterward. Later on, he was my coworker but always was my friend. He was at all times an honorable man devoted to his family. He was authentic, competent and devout as well as very funny.
I loved him and will treasure his memory always!
My best wishes to Rachel and Sarah.
I got to know Don through his involvement with the Presentation Prayer Center. He was always insightful and thoughtful with his words. I knew him as a kind and generous person. I will miss seeing him at Men’s Movie Night.
I worked with Don at Southeast Human Services where we were assigned to a brand new intake team project, along with three other female colleagues. Don admitted to having some skepticism with this project at the start, but we quickly developed a cohesive team, and he was integral to this. When he retired a couple of years later, he shared how much he grew to enjoy the experience, and that he was surprised to learn how smart and capable we in fact were! While our team went different ways over time, we stayed in touch. We have fond memories of Don and the time we worked together. It was hard work, and he regularly reminded us to “be good to thyself.” He was a blessing to those he touched. Good morrow to thee, Don.
Don was a special kind of person…gentle, kind, sensitive, open. As I think about the last several months, I affirm Don for the manner is which he made his own choices about “living”. He was free to choose and he did this in a most organized manner. I will miss his presence, his sense of humor, his use of latin to express himself, and his sensitivity to others. Thanks for the years, Don!!
Rest in Peace dear friend 🙏 I will sure miss you. You were always a peaceful person and had a presence about you to the many through RCIA and everywhere you went…. you were so wise and kind and made a difference in my life. Laurie
Don is going to be greatly missed. He left his mark in this world, that is for sure. I met Don when he used to bring his dog into Bubba and Company. I had the pleasure of working with Don a few years later at CHI Riverview. He helped me mentally when I lost my husband. He was there at his funeral even though they never met. He always checked up on me. His smile got me through those extremely tuff times. Don just being himself made the world a better place. Those who had the pleasure of ever meeting him, I am certain would never forget hi
m. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. Thanks for all you did for me Don, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you. Sending ❤ to all
Rachel,
Your words on your Dad’s obit ROCK! So like you, so heartfelt. Our deepest condolences to you, and all of Don’s friends in his passing. It has been quite a year for so many, so much more for you! We will be here for you, when you need us for anything. See you soon.
I am saddened to hear of Don’s death. He was a dear friend since our days at Shanley, when he would visit his cousin, Marie Brattensborg, and family. Marie lived next door to me in those years. Don was always so gentle, knd, funny and humble. We lost contact for some years, but re-united through Nativity parish. He will be greatly missed! RIP
Kathy Sornsin Boucher
Don was a true gentleman. He adored his God, his family, his community and his dog. His love of music and singing reflected his deep faith. He had a sparkle in his eye, a swiftness of tongue and a spirit of compassion. We will truly miss him. Kathy and Dennis Hogan .
I had the great honor of knowing Don since we both worked at Riverview Place. A quiet, gentle man who always had a smile, a quick quip, and a helpful word when someone needed it most. He did God’s work and can now rest in His glory! I send my heartfelt prayers and condolences to the family in this time of loss
Don was a very special person. I met him through Presentation Prayer Center when we were both participants in a book club featuring books about Phil Berrigan and Dorothy Day. Later we were both members of Cardiac Rehab at Sanford Southpointe Clinic. Don was always reading and willing to visit. May he Rest in Peace and Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him. He will be missed..
I loved Don as a fellow priest in Diocese and a friend whom I admired greatly. — Fr Ben Bachmeier, San Diego.
I worked with Don at Riverview Place, a true gentleman with a bright smile. I remember the way his eyes
lite up when he talked about his daughter Rachel…even more than his dog!!! You were a gift from God.
So sorry to hear about his passing, my sincere condolences.
Don was a neighbor of mine. If I was working in my yard, he would always pause to chat as he walked by with his little dog. We covered many topics and shared perspectives in our brief visits, always ending with a smile and a wave from Don. I will miss him as so many will. My condolences to you, Rachel.
I MET DON WHILE A PATIENT AT ST. JOHNS. HIS WORDS, THOUGHTS, GUIDANCE, SUGGESTIONS GAVE ME DIRECTION AND WORDS ALLOWING ME USE USE AS A FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE. WONDERFUL MAN!
I was so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. I met him through a group at Nativity. He impressed me with his faith and love of God. What a nice man. I am so sorry for your loss. Cheryl Hager
I got to know Don in the mid-80s when I went to work at St. John’s as a counselor. Don and I hit it off from the start! He was a quick and agile thinker, either with a quip or words of solace. His rendition from “The Iceman Cometh” will stay with me forever. My wife and I moved back to Fargo at the end is September, 2020, and I had every intention of looking him up. God needed him more than I did! Rest In Peace, my brother! May God’s angels lift you on high!!
I am sorry to learn about Donald’s passing.
Both Donald and Patricia meant the world to three girls on 6th street in Hasting, Nebraska.
When they decided to move to 9th street we grieved the loss of our daily trips to visit them and their dogs Schultz, Pepper and Daisy.
Donald would say he and Patricia would never be able to get a divorce because they wouldn’t be able to split the dogs.
Donald’s special smile and laughter has always been one of my favorite memories of him.
Rachel, when you were born you meant the world to your folks.