Reverend Richard Partika

The Reverend Richard P. Partika, 94, a priest of the Diocese of Duluth, MN, passed away at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth on Friday, October 9, 2020.

Father Partika was born on April 26, 1926 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth.  He was baptized at St. Clement’s Catholic Church in Duluth on December 21, 1931, and received his first Holy Communion at St. James Orphan Home in Duluth.  He received the sacrament of Confirmation at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Duluth on August 8, 1939.

After attending Cathedral High School, he entered seminary to study for the priesthood at Nazareth Hall and St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, MN.  After completing his studies, he was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Duluth on June 2, 1951 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Duluth by Bishop Thomas Welch.

Father Partika served several parishes throughout the diocese during his years of active priestly ministry.  He began his priestly service as the parochial vicar of Blessed Sacrament Church in Hibbing, MN.  His first assignment as pastor was of St. Isidore  Church in Sturgeon Lake and the mission church in Split Rock, MN.  He also served as pastor at St. Anthony’s Church, Duluth; Our Lady of Lourdes, Virginia; Our Lady of the Sacred Heart  Church in Buhl; Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church in Cloquet; St. Pius X Church in Babbitt; St. Joseph Church in Beroun; and St. Margaret Mary Church in Duluth.  Father Partika retired from active priestly ministry in 1998.

Father Partika was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Lillian (Janzig) Partika, sister  Eileen Collar, and brother Anthony Partika.

He is survived by his siblings:  Irving Partika of Hortonville, WI, Donna Mattson of Marquette, MI, Susan (Richard) Busker of Oakdale, MN, Dennis Partika of Mapleton, MN and Robert (Barbara) Partika of Duluth, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at St. John the Evangelist Church in Duluth on Thursday, October 15, 2020 from 10:00am – 11:00am with the praying of the rosary at 10:15am.  Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00am. FACIAL MASKS ARE REQUIRED.   Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Duluth.  Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, Duluth, 218-727-3555.