Father Donald Joseph Slaven

Rev. Donald Joseph Slaven, 73 of Sioux City passed away on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at the Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City. Services will be at 10:00 A. M. Monday at the Cathedral of the Epiphany Catholic Church. Rev. Paul Kelly and Rev. Michael Erpelding will con-celebrate the Mass along with many other priests and deacons from the Diocese of Sioux City. Graveside services will be at 2:00 P.M. Monday at Calvary Cemetery in Laurens, IA. Visitation will be from 4:00 - 6:00 P.M. Sunday with a Vigil Service at 7:00 P.M. Sunday at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Online condolences may be sent to www.meyerbroschapels.com. Father Donald Joseph Slaven was born December 25, 1940 in Laurens, Iowa, to Donald and Vila (Dwyer) Slaven. He attended Laurens Consolidated School, St. John's University, Collegeville, Minnesota and Mount St. Bernard Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa. He received an M.S. Ed. from Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, and a J.C.L. Degree from Catholic University, Washington, D.C. He was ordained a Catholic priest on June 3, 1967 at the Cathedral of the Epiphany, Sioux City, Iowa. His assignments were St. Mary Parish and School, Remsen, from 1967-1976; Bishop Heelan High School, Sioux City, 1976-1979; Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Neptune and Gehlen Catholic High School, Le Mars, 1979-1984; Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Dedham, 1984-1988; Pastor St. Columbkille Parish, Churdan (attending Grand Junction, Paton and Cedar), 1988-1992; Chaplain of Sioux City nursing homes from 1993-1995; Graduate studies in Washington, D.C. from 1995-1997; Administrator of Sacred Heart Parish, Ruthven (attending Ayrshire) from 1997-1998; Pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Salix from 1998-2005; Pastor, St. Mary, Dow City, St. Mary, Ute, St. Boniface, Charter Oak from 2005-2009. He was a judge in the Tribunal of the Diocese of Sioux City from 1992 until his retirement in 2009. Upon his retirement from active priestly ministry, Fr. Slaven resided at Marian Hall in Sioux City. In 2010 he moved to Holy Spirit Retirement Home where he maintained an active lifestyle, spending time with the many friends and parishioners he made over the years. He also concelebrated daily Mass at Holy Spirit and continued to minister to many of the residents there. Survivors include his niece: Marjorie Baldwin of Larabee, IA, his aunt: Vivian Slaven of Des Moines, IA, a special cousin: Betty VanHorsen of Laurens, IA. Father Slaven was preceded in death by his parents, a sister: Donna Fraser and a brother Charles Slaven.