MADISON — Fr. James R. Lins, 75, died Monday, Dec. 23, 2013, at St. Mary Care Center in Madison.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for Father Lins on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, at St. Luke Catholic Church, 1240 Nachreiner Ave., Plain. Bishop Robert C. Morlino was the main celebrant and Fr. Michael Resop, pastor of St. Luke Parish, Plain, was the homilist.
Interment took place at St. Luke Parish Cemetery, Plain.
Father Lins was born June 9, 1938 to John J. and Rose Marie (Hetzel) Lins in Spring Green, and was baptized at St. Luke Parish, Plain, on June 12, 1938.
After attending Saint Luke Parish Grade School in Plain, he attended the Salvatorian Minor Seminary, in St. Nazianz, Wis. Subsequently, he studied philosophy and earned a B.A. in Philosophy at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn. He continued in major seminary and studied theology at St. John’s Seminary in Collegeville.
He was ordained to the diaconate on June 1, 1963, at the Cathedral of St. Mary, St. Cloud, Minn., and to the priesthood by Bishop William P. O’Connor on May 30, 1964, at St. Raphael Cathedral, Madison. He celebrated his Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Luke Church, Plain, on May 31, 1964.
Father Lins first served the Diocese of Madison as parochial vicar at St. John Parish, Waunakee and as part-time instructor of religion at the Academy of St. Benedict, Middleton. He subsequently served as parochial vicar at St. Dennis Parish, Madison; St. John the Baptist Parish, Jefferson; and St. Joseph Parish, Baraboo. He was appointed pastor of St. Francis De Sales Parish in Hazel Green, on November 11, 1975. He later served as pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Waterloo, and finally for 28 years as pastor St. Matthew Parish, Shullsburg; Our Lady of Hope Parish, Seymour; and St. Peter Parish, Elk Grove until his retirement from active ministry in 2009.
He was involved in serving the poor with the St. Vincent de Paul Society in several parishes.
He is survived by a brother: Dan (Teresa) Lins of Plain,; seven sisters: Elizabeth Brokish, Dickeyville; Sr. Evelyn Lins, OP, Racine; Bernadine (Vincent) Limmex, Donna Golner, and Barbara (Paul) Johnson, Spring Green; Marian (Stan) Schrank, Bend, Ore.; and Virginia (Dan) Harp,San Diego, Calif; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. Father Lins was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Donald, John A., and Ralph Lins; two sisters: Florence Lins and Mary Lins.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society or St. Luke Parish Catholic School, Plain. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.