Rev. Kent Alan Hemberger
March 3, 1961 ~ July 22, 2020
Rev. Kent Alan Hemberger
passed into eternal life on Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at age 59. He was a priest of the Diocese of Wichita for 32 years. Fr. Kent was born to Herman and Marjorie (Youngers) Hemberger on March 3, 1961 in Wichita and attended St. Joseph School in Conway Springs, Benedictine College in Atchison, Kanas, and the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. Fr. Kent was ordained on May 28, 1988 and served at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and St. Anthony Parish in Wichita before being named pastor of St. Anne Parish in Wichita, Director of the Spiritual Life Center, and pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Andover. Fr. Kent’s experiences at the Catholic Worker House and training in Ignatian Spirituality guided his work and spiritual direction. Preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Marjorie Hemberger; brother, Msgr. Robert Hemberger; and brother-in-law, Gerald Unrein. Survived by his sisters, Virginia "Ginge" (Gerry) Kettenbach, Rose Marie Unrein; brothers, Glenn (Susan) Hemberger, Dale (Mary) Hemberger, and David Hemberger. Vigil will be at 7:00 pm, Friday, July 31, 2020; Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am, Saturday, August 1, 2020, both at Church of the Magdalen Catholic Church. Seating will be limited. Services will be live streamed and available to view at the Catholic Diocese of Wichita’s YouTube page as well as St. Vincent de Paul’s Website and Facebook Page. Memorials have been established with: Priests Retirement & Education Fund c/o Catholic Diocese of Wichita, 424 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67202; Our Daily Bread c/o Catholic Charities, 437 N. Topeka, Wichita, KS 67202; The Lord's Diner, 520 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67214. Downing & Lahey Mortuary - East Chapel.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Father was the priest that baptized me. He brought my husband, me and our two daughters into the church at St. Anne’s 21 years ago. I pray for him and family at this time. Sydney Cranor and family
Well done, good and faithful servant. Well done. Godspeed Rev. Kent.
I served with Fr Kent (then just Kent) at Shalom Catholic Worker in 1983. He did carpentry, plumbing and electric work on the building all day (believe me, we needed it!), then caringly checked in and looked after the 25 or so homeless guests at night. I’ve never known anyone with such diverse skills who gave so completely from the heart. His attention to new immigrants in his role as pastor was most welcoming. Along with many others, I will miss him. Rest In Peace, dear Fr. Kent.
My name is Fr. Phil Mares, MM, a Maryknoll priest ministering here in South Korea, and I was with Fr. Kent (and 4 other associates) for 9 months in Guelph, Canada, for training in Ignatian spirituality. It was a time I thoroughly enjoyed with Kent and the other associates. He brought enthusiasm, passion and a great sense of wonder to our group, and I am forever grateful to our Lord for the grace of having known and spent time with Kent.
sadden to hear about father kent he was a very kind and gentle person. he touched so many people. went to st annes church and i always enjoyed his homilys. father kent you will be very much missed. Rest in Peace with Christ.
You are all in my prayers as you grieve the loss of Father Kent. For his cancer to take over so fast had to make it that much more difficult. In case some of you do not recognize my name, I am a cousin. My mother was Grace Orth Thome, the daughter of Rose Weber Orth. His is the third death of that family tree in a month. I am praying God’s blessing on all of the surviving members of the three families.
I had the pleasure of attending seminary at the Josephinum with Fr. Kent. He was such a kind and gentle person. I am sure he will be missed by all those who had the privilege of knowing him and benefiting from his priestly ministry. May we be consloled by the hope that a new intercessor is carrying our needs and praises to the throne of God! Rest in peace, dear brother. Fr. Dan Avila JOSS ’87