Br. Bruce Hausfeld, OFM, 90, passed away on March 20, 2024, at Terrace View Gardens in Cincinnati, Ohio.
A native of St. Bernard, Ohio, Br. Bruce entered the Franciscan Order on Aug. 15, 1952, professed first vows on Aug. 16, 1953, and made his solemn profession on Aug. 16, 1956. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 13, 1961.
Much of Br. Bruce’s ministry was spent in the Southwestern United States, serving among the Navajo and Hispanic people. Over the years, he served as associate pastor at Christ the King Parish in Shiprock, New Mexico; St. Isabel Parish in Lukachukai, Arizona; Corpus Christi Parish in Cincinnati; Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Fort Defiance, Arizona; St. Stephen Parish in Hamilton, Ohio; and Sacred Heart Parish in Emporia, Kansas. Br. Bruce also served as pastor at Christ the King Parish; St. Bernard Parish in Navajo, New Mexico; St. Michael Parish in St. Michaels, Arizona; Holy Rosary Parish in Houma, Louisiana; St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Centerville, Ohio; and Our Lady of Light Parish in Alamogordo, New Mexico. He retired to St. Pascal Friary in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 2011, and eventually moved to St. Clement Friary in St. Bernard (Cincinnati).
When Br. Bruce celebrated the 70th anniversary of his first profession in 2023, he said his love for the people is what kept him in the Southwest for so long.
“They are very patient people, and I learned to be more patient from them,” he said. “I’m also happy and grateful to be a friar. I’ve never doubted my vocation at all.”
Br. Bruce is survived by family, friends and friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, including his brother Br. Bryant Hausfeld, OFM; nephew Br. Tim Sucher, OFM; and cousin Br. Blane Grein, OFM. Funeral services for Br. Bruce will be held at St. Clement Church, 4536 Vine St., St. Bernard, Ohio 45217, beginning with reception of his body and remembrances at 9 a.m. on Monday, March 25. The funeral Mass will begin at 10 a.m., followed by burial at St. Mary Cemetery in St. Bernard.
