Retiring priest at home in rural parishes

May 25, 2022

Father Dean Nimerichter was born in Omaha, but grew up on a farm in northern Missouri.  

Although he was baptized Catholic shortly after his birth, he never attended a Mass until he was 26 years old.  He took instructions under Father Donald Daleke at St. Brendan Church in Leon.  Three years later, he entered the seminary.

He attended Mercer High School, and then helped his family on the farm before going to Trenton Junior College. He then went to Loras College, Cardinal Stretch College in Milwaukee and Sacred Heart Seminary in Hales Corners, Wisconsin.

He was ordained a priest by Bishop William Bullock in 1992.

Father Nimerichter’s many years of service have centered on serving God’s people mostly in rural areas of the Diocese of Des Moines.

After ordination, he served for a year at St. Anthony Parish in Des Moines, then moved to St. Patrick Parish in Missouri Valley. In 1995, he began seven years of service to the people of St. John Parish in Greenfield and St. Patrick Parish in Massena.

He also served St. Mark Parish in Orient from 1995 until 1999. When the parish closed, he walked the journey of grief with parishioners.

He served St. Patrick Parish in Council Bluffs for a year before going to Our Lady of Grace Parish in Griswold and St. Timothy Parish in Reno/Cumberland, where he served for six years until 2010.

Father Nimerichter experienced life as a hermit for a year in 2010, then returned to pastoral care for the parishioners of Holy Trinity of Southeast Warren County, where he has served since 2011, and from which he retires.

Congratulatory cards can be sent to Father Nimerichter, c/o Communications Office, Diocese of Des Moines, 601 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50309.