Rev. Fr. James Kuhn Obituary

The Reverend Father James Gerald Kuhn entered eternal life Saturday, September 28, 2024, after 79 years of life, at Oakwood Village Hospice in Madison, Wisconsin. He recently underwent surgery at St. Mary's Hospital and then experienced a sharp decline in his physical condition. Fr. James Gerald Kuhn was born at Mercy Hospital, Janesville, Wisconsin on June 3, 1945 to Gerald Gaynor Kuhn and Clara Margaret "Peg" (McCabe) Kuhn. He was the first of four children, followed by Mary Ellen, Sue Ann, and Jeannie Marie. He was baptized at Nativity of Mary Church on June 17, 1945 and his Confirmation was November 9, 1958.

After attending Nativity of Mary Grade School in Janesville, he went on to graduate from Queen of Apostles Seminary in Madison where he completed his high school and collegiate general studies. He then entered the Seminary of Pius X at Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa graduating in 1967 Cum Laude with a B.A. in Philosophy. Later he completed advanced studies at the Theological College, Catholic University in Washington, D.C. receiving his B.A. in Sacred Theology in 1970 and M.A. in Sacred Theology the following year. Father Kuhn was ordained by the Most Reverend Cletus F. O'Donnell, Bishop of Madison to the sacred priesthood on May 15, 1971 at Nativity of Mary Parish, Janesville.

Fr. Kuhn began ministering in the Diocese of Madison as a Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Beloit; Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish, Sun Prairie; Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Madison; and St. Patrick Parish, Madison. Fr. Kuhn also served as an instructor at Beloit Catholic High School. Fr. Kuhn ministered as pastor at St. Francis Xavier Parish, Lake Mills, with mission to St. Mary Magdalene Parish, Johnson Creek; St. Luke Parish, Plain, with mission to St. Patrick Parish, Loreto; St. Lawrence Parish, Jefferson, with chaplaincy to St. Coletta School, Jefferson; St. Thomas Parish, Montfort, with mission to St. John Nepomucene Parish, Castle Rock; St. Norbert Parish, Roxbury; St. Joseph Parish, Fort Atkinson; St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Beloit; and St. Patrick Parish, Janesville, from which he retired as Pastor Emeritus.

Father Kuhn was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his sisters: Mary Babcock of Footville, WI, Sue Ann Kuhn-Smith of Covington, GA, and Jeannie (Dean) Allen of Mount Horeb, WI. Also left to mourn are nephew, Michael (Jessica) Babcock of Janesville; and nieces, Melissa (Greg) Babcock- Langbecker of Janesville, Sarah (Peter) Allen-Sanon of Belleville, WI. Great nieces and nephews are Caleb Babcock, Ethan Babcock, Evan Babcock, Brock Babcock, Scarlet Babcock, Lauren (Tyler) Babcock-Curtis, Clara Langbecker, Jacob Langbecker, Hayden Sanon, and Hudson Sanon.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 602 Everglade Dr., Madison, Wisconsin, on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. The Most Reverend Donald J. Hying, Bishop of Madison, will celebrate the Holy Mass, with the Reverend Father Bart Timmerman, Parochial Administrator of the parishes of Queen of Martyrs Pastorate, Beloit, as homilist. Visitation at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church will be held on Tuesday, October 8th from 9:00 a.m. until shortly before the time of the Funeral Mass. A luncheon will follow the Funeral Mass in the St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Hall. Mausoleum interment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Janesville, will take place the following day, Wednesday, October 9th at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made either to the Diocese of Madison specifically for the support of retired priests, or to the Cathedral of St. Bernard of Clairvaux for the renovation of the Cathedral. SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY is assisting with arrangements. For online condolences and guestbook, please visit: www.schneiderfuneraldirectors.com