Msgr. Mervin J. Hood

Msgr. Mervin J. Hood, 91, of Fort Dodge, passed away on Thursday, July 27, 2017, at the Marian Home. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 31, 2017, at Corpus Christi Church with Most Reverend Bishop R. Walker Nickless officiating the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will follow at Corpus Christi Cemetery with Military Rites Conducted by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard and the V.F.W. Post 1856. Visitation will be on Sunday from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home, with a Rosary at 3:00 p.m. and a Vigil at 6:00 p.m. all at the funeral home. Survivors include his sister, LaVonne Keppers of Fort Dodge; nieces, Linda (Jerry) Toomer, Marilynn A. (Jack) Clark, Patricia A. (Clark) Wadle, Mary Jonetta (Dave) Harrington, Lori B. (Craig) Gascho, Karla J. (Dan) Swanson, Barbara M. Dencklau, Christine M. (Jay) Abrams; nephews, Thomas L. Thomas and Vincent (Darlene) William Thomas; 22 great nieces and nephews; 11 great-great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, George V. and Agnes M. (Henneberry) Hood; sister, Dolores Thomas; brother-in-law, Harold Keppers and great nephew, Michael Toomer. Mervin Joseph Hood was born on March 2, 1926, in Humboldt County. In 1944, he graduated from Corpus Christi Academy. That same year Mervin enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served on a destroyer, the U.S.S. Mertz, in the Pacific Theater of WWII. After his honorable discharge in 1946, Mervin attended Loras College in Dubuque. In 1950, he graduated with a bachelor of arts. He then attended Creighton University from 1950 to until 1956. He graduated with his Master of Science Degree with Certification as a Principal/Superintendent in Education. From 1950 to 1954, Mervin attended St. Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore, Maryland. On May 5, 1954, he was ordained by the Most Rev. Joseph M. Mueller D.D., Bishop of Sioux City. His assignment in the Church was first Gehlen High School and St. Joseph's Church in Le Mars from 1954 to 1960. He then went to Sacred Heart Church in Ruthven and Emmetsburg Catholic High School, where he served as a superintendent from 1960 to 1967. The next assignment was Sacred Heart Parish in Ledyard from 1967 to 1971. He also taught at St. John's School in Bancroft during this time. He served for St. Mary's Parish in Alton from 1971 to 1979, then St. Mary's Parish in Humboldt from 1979 to 1986, lastly Holy Spirit Church in Carroll from 1986 to 1993 and Sacred Heart Church in Early from 1993 to 1998. On July 15, 1998, he retired and moved to Fort Dodge. He was elevated to rank of Domestic Prelate on August 3, 1998. Rev. Msgr. Mervin Hood served as a relief pastor in the Sioux City Diocese from 1998 until 2016 and was one of the beloved Marian Home Chaplains. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to Holy Trinity Parish, the Marian Home or Saint Edmond Schools. Visitation Sun, Jul 30, 2017 at 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home 307 South 12th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 Rosary Sun, Jul 30, 2017 at 3:00 pm Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home 307 South 12th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 Prayer Service Sun, Jul 30, 2017 at 6:00 pm Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home 307 South 12th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 Funeral Mass Mon, Jul 31, 2017 at 11:00 am Corpus Christi Catholic Church 402 North 8th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501