By Msgr. Frank Henricksen
After a good dozen years of retirement, Father Dan Mannhardt moved on to share the glory of 82 years of loyal service to his Creator. Fifty-six of which he served in the priesthood of the Church of the High Priest. Well done, good and faithful servant.
Given the middle name Charles, Fr. Dan could have been named after his Uncle, Father Charles Mannhardt. Together, they were priests of the Davenport Diocese for nearly a quarter of a century. Certainly, Father/Uncle was the mentor of his young nephew.
The parish ministry and chaplaincy had the benefit of Fr. Dan’s gifts in every deanery of the diocese. At least 14 different assignments meant he was on the move. He responded to the call or needs as they arose.
And there was never any question that he was anything but happy being a priest.
One of the special ministries that benefited by his time and interest was the Charismatic Renewal Commission of the diocese. Along with this was the Substance Abuse Council, where he shared his leadership ability.
Fr. Dan’s final years were accompanied by poor health. He was very mobile, but that meant getting to his van with the help of a wheel chair. Social events among the retired priests could always count on his presence. Nonetheless, when it was time, he had the courage to “turn in the keys.”
Finally, as a guest at the Kahl Home, where once he served as chaplain, one can be assured he never was without a ministry. His patient presence had to have a continual influence on his fellow residents.
Now he has time for eternal retirement. Rest in peace, Fr. Dan. You deserve it all!
Obituary
Father Daniel Mannhardt, 82, a retired priest of the Diocese of Davenport, died Oct. 6 at the Kahl Home in Davenport.
He was born Sept. 26, 1931, in Davenport. He attended St. Paul, St. Vincent and Grant public schools and St. Ambrose Academy. He graduated from St. Ambrose College in Davenport and completed theology studies at Mount St. Bernard Seminary in Dubuque. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 1, 1957, by Bishop Ralph Hayes.
In the diocese Fr. Mannhardt was an assistant pastor at Sacred Heart in Newton from 1957-58, St. Mary in Albia from 1958-60, St. Irenaeus in Clinton from 1960-66 and St. Joseph in Davenport from 1966-69. Fr. Mannhardt served as a chaplain in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1961-69 and served in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, for several months in 1969. Upon his return he served as an associate pastor at St. Joseph in Davenport from 1969-70 and at St. Mary in Fort Madison from 1970-73. He served as a chaplain at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City from 1973-77 and at the Veterans Hospital in Iowa City from 1973-81. He served as pastor of St. Mary in Lone Tree from 1977-79, associate pastor of St. Wenceslaus in Iowa City from 1979-81, chaplain at Mercy Hospital in Davenport from 1981-85, pastor of St. Bridget in Nolan Settlement and St. Bernadette in West Branch from 1985-89, and chaplain at Mercy Hospital/Genesis Health Systems in Davenport and at The Kahl Home in Davenport. He retired in 2001.
Fr. Mannhardt’s funeral was scheduled for Oct. 9 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Davenport. Burial was to be in Priest Circle at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport. Visitation was held at Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either Eagles’ Wings in Davenport or National Council on Alcoholism and Related Drug Problems or to the family to be distributed to Fr. Mannhardt’s other favorite charities. To express condolences online, visit www.hmdfuneralhome.com.
