Rev. Fr. James Golden

Fr. James Golden, age 91, died Monday, June 10, 2013.  Father Golden was born July 28, 1921, in Hibbing, Minnesota to James and Lucy Golden.  He graduated from Keewatin High School and attended Hibbing Junior College prior to studying philosophy at Crosier Seminary College in Onamia and Theology at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul.  He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Thomas Welch at Sacred Heart Cathedral on June 5, 1948.

Father Golden served as an Associate Pastor at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary in Duluth from June 24, 1948 – September 11, 1959.  He was then named pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Meadowlands and St. Joseph’s Church, Elmer and served those parishes until 1962 when he was reassigned to St. Raphael, Duluth and St. Philip, Grand Lake until 1965. He also served the following parishes as pastor: St. Elizabeth, Duluth; St. Leo’s, Hibbing; St. Theresa, Silica; St. Joseph, Beroun; and St. Patrick, Hinckley.  He retired in 1991.

In addition to being a 4th Degree Knight, Fr. Golden was the Faithful Friar of the Hibbing Knights of Columbus Council for many years.

Fr. Golden is survived by his brother, David; nephews Dave (Sara) Golden, Jim (Kathy) Golden, and Tim Brenden; nieces Kathy Golden, Peggy (Mike) Shoemaker, and Mary Beth (Tom) Dries; great nephews and nieces: Max, Sam, Abby, Berit, Will, Lukas, and Myles Golden, Casey Miller, Lucy and Grace Shoemaker, and Jennifer, Lauren, and Maggie Dries.  He was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Margaret “Peggy” (Ray) Brenden; nephew, Tom Brenden; and by sister-in-law, Anita Golden.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM on Monday, June 17, 2013, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Hibbing.  Visitation will be 5—8 PM on Sunday, June 16, 2013, at Dougherty Funeral Home, Hibbing with parish wake prayer service at 7 PM.  Visitation will continue Monday in Church at 10:00 am. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be made to Catholic Charities, Duluth Diocese Seminary Fund or the donor’s preferred charity.

The family would like to give special thanks to Judy Lawe, Richard and Audrey Arco, and all the wonderful people who for many years provided faithful, generous and loving care to Fr. Golden.

Arrangements Dougherty Funeral Home, Hibbing.  To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.doughertyofhibbing.com

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