A funeral Mass for Deacon Steven H. Wohlert was celebrated July 24 at St. Louis Abbey Church in Creve Coeur. Deacon Wohlert, 77, died July 19.
Born in Kansas City, Mo., Deacon Wohlert married Eileen Wohlert (nee Rogan) in 1982. Prior to retirement, Deacon Wohlert worked for 40 years for Union Carbide, Energizer and Ralston Purina. He was ordained to the permanent diaconate in 1999 by Cardinal Justin F. Rigali and was assigned to St. Anselm Parish, where he served for his entire ministry.
At St. Anselm, Deacon Wohlert performed the sacramental functions of a deacon, specifically assisting at Mass, conducting wake services and attending funerals, leading Liturgy of the Word and Communion services when needed, performing baptisms, conducting benedictions and leading Stations of the Cross. Deacon Wohlert also worked extensively with people petitioning for marriage annulments and with sacramental preparation programs, visits to the homebound, the Right of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) and as pastoral associate. He served for many years on the board of directors at Haven House in St. Louis and in hospital chaplaincy at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chesterfield. He also was former president of the Board of Education in Ocean Township, N.J., and Ridgefield, Conn.
Deacon Wohlert served for six years on the Deacon Personnel Board, including two years as the chairman. For this and other community work, he was awarded the St. Stephen Award for service in 2010 by the diaconate community. That same year, he was appointed associate director for diaconate programs, a position he held until December 2014. He was granted the status of senior deacon assisting the pastor of St. Anselm Parish in June.
In an article about the diaconate in 2009, Deacon Wohlert said, “I think God found a way to use the gifts and talents that He gave me to serve people and build His community.”
Survivors include his wife, Eileen; five children, John Wohlert, Peggy Cadmus, Steven Wohlert Jr., Kevin Wohlert and Larisa Dixon; 10 grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and his twin brother, Roger Wohlert. Burial was in St. Catherine Cemetery in Spring Lake, N. J.
