
by Moira Cullings
moira.cullings@theleaven.org
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Father Earl John Dekat found splendor in a simple life.
In his spare time, he was often out in his garden or inside his woodworking shop.
“He seldom bought anything new,” said Father Bob Hasenkamp. “If he could fix it, he would fix it and make it better than it was.
“He seemed to be very content with just using the simple things in life.”
Father Dekat, 84, passed away on Jan. 9 at Home of the Flint Hills in St. George. His health had declined in recent years as he battled cancer.
He was born on May 20, 1940, in Flush, to Clemens and Laura (Winter) Dekat, and was the second youngest of eight children.
He attended Flush Grade School and High School. He graduated from Conception College and Seminary in Conception, Missouri, and was ordained a priest by Archbishop Edward J. Hunkeler on May 28, 1966.
Father Dekat had multiple assignments around the archdiocese — most in rural parishes — before he retired in 2013 and moved back to his family farm in Flush to take care of his brother Thomas, who had cancer.

Father Dekat had a kind heart, according to Father Anthony Chendumalli, pastor of Annunciation Parish in Frankfort, St. Monica-St. Elizabeth Parish in Blue Rapids and St. Columbkille Parish, Blaine.
With Father Chendumalli’s rectory just 33 miles from Father Dekat’s farm, the pair became friends and often cooked together.
“In the beginning, we cooked Indian spicy food, and he liked it,” said Father Chendumalli.
Father Dekat introduced the Indian priest to American techniques, like how to cook steak on the George Foreman Grill.
When Father Dekat moved to assisted living, Father Chendumalli continued to visit and bring him Communion.
He was a “fatherly figure,” said Father Chendumalli, “which I never expected in this foreign country.”

Father Dekat enjoyed being around people, especially his nieces and nephews and their children.
Erin Dekat Antosh, Laurie Masters and Deanne Reiter — three of his nieces — said their uncle was a man of faith who liked to have fun.
He was a fierce and cunning competitor at 10-point pitch.
“It was amazing how he could strategize and usually win his bid when he had almost nothing in his hand,” said Masters.
Perhaps as impressive were his culinary abilities.
“His canning skills were impeccable,” said Reiter. “He would can anything on hand — fish, tomatoes, meat and the regular stuff like cucumbers and beets.
“The garden was his pride and joy.”
And faith was at the forefront of his life.
“When family members visited, he would always say a Mass in his living room, along with singing some church hymns,” said Antosh. “And all who attended would get a special homily tailor-made just for them.
“All of his nieces and nephews looked forward to visiting Father Earl on the farm, but the hardest part of the visit was always saying ‘goodbye.’”

Masters said her uncle had a heart not only for his family but for all the people he served.
“I know that he genuinely loved his parishioners,” she said, “and he always told them so at the end of Mass.”
Father Michael Peterson, pastor of St. Bernard Parish in Wamego and St. Joseph Parish in Flush, was impressed by Father Dekat’s generosity.
He often gave away his produce and handmade wooden crosses.
He was also giving of his time, serving as chaplain of the Knights of Columbus council in Flush, helping with the local Catholic radio station and offering Father Peterson a hand where he could during his retirement.
“He was very dedicated to the church,” said Father Peterson. “He was very intelligent about Scripture. I thought he was a good off-the-cuff homilist.”

Father Hasenkamp, who was in a monthly prayer group with Father Dekat for some 40 years, was most inspired by his friend’s strong faith.
“He loved the Mass,” said Father Hasenkamp. “Even after his retirement when he was no longer able to offer Mass himself, he always loved to concelebrate. He wanted to be there.”
That faith, and his love, were what Reiter admired most about her uncle.
“His spirit will live on forever with all the lives and people he met,” she said.
Father Dekat was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Thomas, Sister Merita, Eileen Boatwright, Roseann Dutton, Doretha Suther and Lawrence. He is survived by one brother, Joseph.
A visitation will be held on Jan. 24 from 4-7 p.m. at Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego, with a rosary beginning at 7.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann on Jan. 25 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Church in Flush. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery.
Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Joseph Church. Checks can be made to St. Joseph Church and mailed to Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home, P.O. Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547.
Father Earl Dekat’s Assignments
Date of Ordination — May, 28, 1966
June to August 1966 — Temporary assistant, Curé of Ars, Leawood
August 1966 to March 1968 — Assistant, St. John Baptist, Kansas City, Kansas
March 1968 to July 1971 — Assistant, Holy Name, Topeka
July 1971 to June 1972 — Associate pastor, Immaculate Conception, Leavenworth, and chaplain, Immaculata High School
June 1972 to July 1973 — Associate pastor, St. Gregory; and pastoral work at St. Elizabeth, Blue Rapids, and St. Monica, Waterville
July 1973 to July 1979 — Team ministry with residence in Valley Falls
July 1979 to July 1986 — Pastor, St. Francis Xavier in Burlington, St. Joseph in Waverly and St. Teresa, Westphalia
July 1986 to July 1998 — Pastor, Holy Trinity, Paola
July 1994 to July 1998 — Added as pastor, St. Philip Neri, Osawatomie
July 1998 to April 2002 — Pastor, Immaculate Conception, St. Marys; St. Stanislaus, Rossville; Holy Cross, Emmett; and Sacred Heart, Delia
April to December 2002 — Sabbatical
January to July 2003 — Senior associate, St. Gregory, Marysville; Annunciation, Frankfort; St. Elizabeth, Blue Rapids; and St. Monica, Waterville
July 2003 to July 2004 — Senior associate, Sts. Peter & Paul, Seneca, and sacramental minister to St. Patrick, Corning, and St. Bede, Kelly
July 2004 to July 2005 — Pastor of St. Bede, Kelly, and St. Patrick, Corning, while remaining pastoral associate at Sts. Peter and Paul, Seneca
July 2005 to July 2013 — Pastor, St. Leo in Horton and St. Mary, Purcell
July 2013 — Retired