Priest with a gift for music, serving the sick, dies
October 17, 2024
Father Martin Chevalier, a man who had an interest in good liturgy, a gift for music, and a particular charism for ministering to the sick, died Sept. 25. He was 70 years old.
Father Chevalier graduated from North High School in Des Moines, earned a bachelor’s degree in audiology from the University of Iowa, and entered the seminary where he earned a master’s degree from St. John’s University in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
His friend, Jennifer Willems, will remember him for his kindness when she moved to take a job in Omaha.
“He was assigned to Queen of Apostles in Council Bluffs and Our Lady of Carter Lake at that time and on my first day in Omaha, he came over to make dinner and play with my dog,” she said. “His hospitality extended to showing me around Omaha so I could get to know my new surroundings. I will never forget his kindness, and his love for music and the liturgy.”
A tenor, Father Chevalier used his gift in Musica Ecclesia, a diocesan choir conducted by Aimee Beckmann-Collier from 1987-1992.
“His energy and desire to serve the music with his time and talents, along with his just slightly sarcastic wit, made him a very valuable member of the choir,” she said.
It was at a concert at the (Anglican) Cathedral of St. Paul in downtown Des Moines, where Father Troy Beecham, dean emeritus there, met him.
“He was such an outgoing, jovial, and open man. He was a breath of fresh air, a ready counselor, and always helped me see the light during dark moments,” said Father Beecham. “He always helped me find where God could be found when I was perplexed or hurt from the difficulties of parish life. We often had lunch or dinner together.”
Father Chevalier, impressed by the choral program at the Anglican church, joined the chorus, though remaining faithful to being a Catholic priest, said Father Beecham.
“I’ve known many priests in my life, and Father Martin was one of the most truly joyful I’ve known, and one of the most priestly,” he said. “His vocation was obvious and true, and ran deep. He was a faithful priest, a true believer in the orthodox, Catholic faith. He was a faithful witness of the Lord, never afraid to speak the truth or to call Christians to remember the Gospel of Jesus. He was a peace maker.”
Ordained in 1983, Father Chevalier served on each side of the Diocese at Sacred Heart Church in West Des Moines and Queen of Apostles (now part of Corpus Christi Parish) in Council Bluffs.
Much of his parish ministry was in rural parishes: St. John in Adair; St. Mary in Anita; St. Joseph in Casey; St. John in Adel; Holy Trinity of SE Warren County in Lacona, and St. Elizabeth Seton in Carlisle.
In 2003, he studied to be a chaplain and spent the rest of his years of ministry to the sick.
He was a chaplain at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center while serving for a year at Immaculate Conception Parish in St. Marys; and St. Patrick in Irish Settlement. In 2009, he became a chaplain at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri, then served as a hospice chaplain at Grace Hospice, also in Kansas City. In 2013, he became a chaplain at St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach, California.
He retired from active ministry in the Des Moines Diocese in 2015 and served as chaplain at the Veterans Administration hospital in Des Moines, retiring in 2023.
Father Chevalier’s Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Oct. 17 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Des Moines.