With hope in the resurrection, Reverend Dennis J. Wieland entered enteral life on January 13, 2024, at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee.

Father Wieland was born in Racine on August 22, 1952, to Loretta (nee: Dederich) and Frederick Wieland.  He attended Holy Name Grade School and graduated from Washington Park High School.  In 1987, Fr. Wieland began his priestly formation at Sacred Heart School of Theology and was ordained a priest in 1991 by Bishop-Emeritus Victor H. Balke of the Diocese of Crookston, Minnesota.  He served several parishes in the Crookston Diocese from 1991 to 2007:  St. Joseph, Moorhead; St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center, Moorhead; St. Stephen, Stephen; Assumption, Florian; St. John the Baptist, Alma; St. Rose, Argyle; St. Bernard, Thief River Falls; St. Ann, Goodridge; St. Francis Xavier, Oklee; St. Vincent, Plummer; St. Joseph, Brooks; St. Clement, Grygla; St. Mary, Two Inlets; and St. Peter, Park Rapids.  In 2007, Father transferred to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and until his retirement served several parishes in the diocese:  St. Anthony, Menomonee Falls; St. Stephen, Oak Creek; and St. Joseph, Wauwatosa.  In retirement, Father assisted where there was a need in the area parishes and for the School Sisters of St. Francis in Milwaukee.

Father is survived by three sisters, Katherine Wieland and Maryanne Kuiper of Racine, Wis, and Eileen (Richard) Zaffiro of Franklin, Wis., and three brothers, Michael Wieland of Orlando, Fla, Desmond (Cynthia) Wieland of San Diego, Calif., and Charles (Sue) Wieland of Pine River, Wis. He is also survived by nieces and nephews.  Father was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Ron Wieland.

Father had a love of animals, plants, and nature.  He enjoyed taking time to spend with God's gifts.  Also, he found joy in reaching out with kindness and generosity to those who were struggling in this world.

"As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God."

Ps 42:1-2

Service Details

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Richard Catholic Church, located at 1503 Grand Avenue, Racine, with the Most Reverend Jerome Listecki officiating.  Private interment will take place at  Holy Cross Cemetery located at 2530 Kinzie Avenue, Racine. A visitation will be on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at St. Richard's from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral Mass. The Mass will be livestreamed; please click on this link to view: https://www.youtube.com/live/-Oo2TcPrRpw?si=Ba832PydJL_iCfMT

Memorial Suggestions

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Father Wieland's name to Perfect Fit Endowment, Diocese of Crookston, P.O. Box 610, Crookston, MN  56716 or to the House of Peace, 1702 W Walnut St, Milwaukee, WI  53205.