Father Bernard A. Konda

Bernard A “Father Ben” Konda was born on July 10, 1939 in Spearville, Kansas to E. Mathias Konda and C. Irene (Beller) Konda. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Father George Konda and Leo Konda, and sisters Eleanor (Arnold) Boatright and Bernice Mages. He is survived by brother Richard (Ruth) Konda, sister-in-law Kathleen Konda, brother-in-law Leroy Mages, and numerous nieces and nephews. He entered Eternal Life on November 12, 2024, in Ft. Collins, Colorado.

Father Ben was ordained to the priesthood on May 27,1967, in the chapel of St. Mary of the Plains College, by Bishop Forst to serve in the Diocese of Tucson. His first year as a priest he served as an assistant pastor in Tucson, then attended the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. where he earned a Doctoral degree in Canon Law. Returning to the Diocese of Tucson, he worked in various capacities in the Diocesan offices and in local parishes.

In 1984 he moved to the Diocese of Juneau, Alaska, working both in the Diocesan offices and as Pastor in parishes in Juneau, Douglas, Sitka, and Ketchikan, as well as a “sacramental priest” who traveled to more remote parts of Alaska to bring the Mass and Sacraments to those communities.

For a period of time in the 1980s he was “loaned” to the newly formed Diocese of Victoria, Texas, to help them set up their Marriage Tribunals, and then in the Archdiocese of Seattle to help with a revision of their Marriage Tribunal.

Alaska’s cold weather and declining health brought him back to the Diocese of Tucson in 1999 where he served as Chancellor of the Diocese and also served in various missions in the diocese before serving as Pastor of St. George Catholic Community in Apache Junction, AZ until July of 2004, when he retired.

In retirement, he helped out for a time at Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Broomfield, CO before moving to the Priest’s Retirement Center in Bel Aire, Kansas in November of 2006. Finally, in January of 2022 he moved to Colorado to be close to his brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Ruth.

In addition to being a beloved priest, son, brother and uncle, Father Ben was an avid reader and an insatiable traveler - visiting six continents and innumerable countries. Notable in these travels was the trip to India where he met with Mother Teresa and the trip to Rome where he spoke with Pope John Paul II. He immersed himself in the diverse communities he served, cherishing the people and the cultures. He will be remembered for his compassion for his flock and his leadership but also for the laughter that seemed a part of everything he did.

A rosary for Bernard will be held Monday, November 18, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Allnutt Funeral Service – Drake Road Chapel, 650 W. Drake Rd., Ft. Collins, Colorado 80526. A funeral mass will occur Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Parish, 1730 W 12th St, Loveland, CO 80537.

Follow the link below to attend Mass via livestream for anyone unable to attend in person.

https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/c24114512200370